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Moon crater: This picture mocks the recent gibe made by BMC Commissioner Jairaj Phatak and chief engineer (roads) D L Shinde that potholes are not a major issue in reality, but simply a phenomenon, exaggerated by the media. PIC/SHAILESH BHATIA |
MiD DAY went out and discovered a 700m stretch of road in a plush suburban locality, riddled with 738 potholes of various shapes and sizes (we counted them), resembling the surface of the moon.
The dilapidated stretch lies at the north end of Linking Road and moves on to meet S V Road, near Pavan Hans colony in Santacruz. Ironically, the road is frequently used by ambulances from various hospitals in the area.
Dr Vasant Shenoy, who has his clinic in the area, said that right from the onset of monsoon, which completely eroded the road surface, he has been flooded by patients complaining of backaches and slip disks.
"It is an insult to call this a road. It seems as if no one cares. Apart from hundreds of potholes, there are violations by vendors cooking out in the open. Further down there is a cowshed, right outside a school," he said.
Pooja Bansod, one such patient, stated that she has virtually stopped moving out of the building compound as the pain simply becomes unbearable. "Travelling in a rickshaw is like moving out on an African safari."
Tapan Bailoor, a resident of the colony, said that pregnant women avoid travelling on this stretch as it may result in a miscarriage. "It is virtually a tragedy waiting to happen," he said.
"I have strictly advised expectant mothers, senior citizens and slip disk patients to simply avoid stepping out, but this is not a practical solution," added Dr Shenoy.
When informed about the problem, BMC Commissioner Jairaj Phatak said that work on some arterial roads has not been taken up by civic authorities. "I will forward the complaint to the Chief Engineer Roads Division and appropriate action will be taken soon," he promised.
