Pockmarked road irks Bandraites
A couple of years ago, the Cement Road was in news for the construction of an illegal ramp near Mannat.
MUMBAI: Devotees visiting the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount during the Bandra Fair in September are likely to face inconvenience as the road leading to the fair is pockmarked due to the resurfacing of several potholes. Alleging that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) contractor’s ‘shoddy work’ has resulted in craters, local residents have demanded the road be repaired before the start of the fair.
According to residents, potholes have resurfaced on the asphalt road, known as the Cement Road, which is located next to film star Shah Rukh Khan’s bungalow, Mannat, at Bandra (west).
Civic activist Nicholas Almeida from the Watchdog Foundation said, “There is no vehicular traffic on the road, but still large potholes have developed on it. It goes to show the extremely shoddy work done by the civic contractor.”
The Cement Road is used by lakhs of devotees, who every year visit the place for the novena and fair that begins in the first week of September each year.
“The Cement Road was repaired by BMC by engaging a contractor. But the development of potholes in spite of the lack of vehicular traffic on this particular stretch is a classic example of corruption in the civic body. The BMC should take immediate remedial measures to repair the road,” said Mr Almeida.
Despite several attempts, Sharad Ughade, assistant municipal commissioner of H-West ward, was unavailable for comments.
A couple of years ago, the Cement Road was in news for the construction of an illegal ramp near Mannat.