MUMBAI: The civic administration has claimed to have plugged more than 16,000 potholes on Mumbai roads this monsoon. Before Ganeshotsav, a massive campaign will be launched to clear the potholes. The potholes on the arrival and immersion route of Ganeshotsav will be plugged on a war footing. This has drawn criticism from the municipal administration. During this rainy season, potholes have appeared on the roads of Mumbai and the municipal administration has taken special care this time.
Secondary engineers have been appointed for each of the 227 wards of the municipality. Mumbai Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani has given clear instructions to the concerned agencies that if there are potholes on the roads during the rainy season, they should be extinguished as soon as possible, usually within 24 hours after receiving the complaint, through the concerned engineers and contractors. He warned of strict action if the orders are not followed. Accordingly, the municipal administration had sent notices to 19 engineers. It was also alleged that the contractors were not filling the potholes. Following this, the municipal authorities took action against the contractor. A total fine of Rs 50 lakh 53 thousand has been imposed on various contractors so far. The municipal administration has claimed that more than 16,000 potholes have been plugged since June. Since June this year, 16,645 potholes were found on the roads in the municipal limits. Of these, 16,562 potholes have been plugged, the civic body claimed.
Ganeshotsav is just a few days away and Ganesh idols of many big Ganeshotsav troupes are going to arrive from the month of August. Earlier, the Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti had asked the civic body to plug potholes on all roads in Mumbai. Accordingly, the municipal administration has decided to undertake a major campaign to fill potholes in Mumbai before Ganeshotsav. Potholes on the route of arrival and immersion processions of Ganesh idols will be plugged. The rain has opened up and the roads should be in good condition before the Ganeshotsav, so a meeting of engineers will be held soon and instructions will be given to fill the potholes.
