MMRDA hauled up by deputy CM, motorists

Ajit Pawar takes potshots at the CM-led agency for slow pace of work at Barfiwala and demands the contractor of 'potholed' Lalbaug flyover be blacklisted; motorists say opening of one carriageway not enough

MMRDA hauled up by deputy CM, motorists

THE inauguration of the southern arm of the Barfiwala flyover in Andheri saw the tussle between the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress come out in the open with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar taking potshots at the CM-led Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

CM Prithiviraj Chavan and his deputy Ajit Pawar inaugurate the southern arm of Barfiwala flyover in Andheri. Motorists say this won't help end traffic woes on the stretch

Pawar publicly pulled up the MMRDA for potholes on the newly-inaugurated Lalbaug flyover and pointed out that only one arm of the Barfiwala flyover was being thrown open to traffic despite work having started long time ago.

Speaking at the inauguration, Pawar said,u00a0 "It has come to light that the newly-inaugurated Lalbaug flyover has potholes. If such things are happening with flyovers that have opened recently, the MMRDA should blacklist the contractor who had been given the project."

Forced to give an explanation, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said, "I have already asked the MMRDA to submit a report on the potholes on the Lalbaug flyover. Action will be taken against those responsible."

Motorists too
The MMRDA found itself at the receiving end of the ire of motorists as well, who claimed that opening the southern arm of the flyover alone would not bring an end to their commuting woes.

"Traffic moving towards the Western Express Highway (WEH) from Juhu will not get much respite because the northern carriageway of the flyover is still under construction. Only traffic headed towards Juhu in the evening will benefit," said Lokhand-wala resident Rakesh Sharma

The traffic in Andheri (West) is already crawling because of the ongoing construction of the Vesova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Metro line.
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The arterial J P Road stretch between SV Road Junction and Seven Bungalows has been closed at various places because of this, forcing commuters from Four Bungalows, Seven Bungalows and Versova to use a diversion. Motorists travel to JVPD via the Juhu-Versova link road and then use the Juhu Galli road to reach Andheri (West) railway station.

"The single lane road which was operational prior to the opening of the flyover's southern arm will also now be closed for the construction of the northern carriageway. This will increase the chances of traffic during the morning peak hours and the situation will be very difficult during Monsoon," said Mayur D, a Four Bungalows resident.