Dug-up roads at Panvel to slow down traffic during rain

Panvel: The delay in bhumipoojan, despite the issue of a work order to the contractor, has led to concretisation work of roads in Panvel taking much longer time to complete and they are not likely to be completed before the monsoon.

The dug-up roads could lead to heavy traffic jams in the city which will prove to be a huge hassle for residents. Local residents and politicians are demanding that the administration take immediate steps in this regard.

NCP city president and councillor Shivdas Kamble has written letters to PMC president Charusheela Gharat and chief executive officer Mangesh Chitale asking them to take note of the problems that the city will face owing to the road concretisation work that is on.

Kamble said, “The tender process for the concretisation work was completed in October 2015. The work order too was issued to the contractor. However, as top state leaders were not able to give their time, the inauguration of work was not done.”

He added, “Finally on January 8, the bhoomipujan was performed and only then the work begun.”

Panvel residents face problems every year because of the potholes on the roads. It is to resolve the pothole menace that the PMC administration undertook concretisation work of five main roads in the city. The work to be done with MMRDA’s assistance will cost Rs30 crore.

Atul Jaitpal, a resident, said, “With the monsoon set to begin soon, the roads in the city have been dug up. All the digging and other such work will have to be stopped in the city after May 30.”

“With work remaining incomplete on important roads, there are bound to be traffic issues. The residents will face daily problems and there is possibility of accidents as well,” said Jaitpal.

The NCP has asked the PMC president and CEO to ensure the residents do not face problems.

Kamble said, “We have warned that if the requisite measures are not taken before monsoon to resolve the issue, we will launch an agitation.

“The work was delayed by 3 months owing to the bhoomipujan issue. The main roads are today dug up which will definitely affect normal traffic movement. The administration should now take corrective action,” added Kamble.

PMC officials said they are taking adequate measures to ensure residents do not suffer.