Only a six-feet stretch is open to traffic right nowCommuters using the Western Express Highway are complaining that construction work on nullahs under the Highway near Pushpa Park in Malad (E) is still incomplete.

Even though work on one side of the highway has been completed, work on the others side is still unfinished, leading to traffic jams.

Rubble has piled up on the road, leaving just a six-feet stretch open to traffic, and residents worry that the situation will worsen once the monsoon sets in.

"This stretch of the Western Express Highway is in a mess because of the constant digging work being carried out," says Vishwas Patil, who has been plying his tempo on the highway for the last 20 years.

In response, Rajan Marathe of the PWD, says, "The project to repair the old nullahs was taken up from September 2002.

The project is expected to cost Rs 5 crore and end by May 2003. he adds, At present, we are a little behind schedule, but the PWD is trying to complete the work in another 10 days. We hope to be finished before the monsoon begins."

malad@mid-day.com