Hassle-free ride on Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway this monsoon

Motorists should expect a journey without hassle on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway near Sasunavghar this monsoon, as the VVCMC is working along with the police to clear debris blocking it. Encroachers along the highway had blocked the culvert, in front of Kutch Darbar, over the past two-three years, officials said on Sunday. This resulted in heavy waterlogging and subsequent traffic jams, they added.

The culvert under NH-48 is located right after the Versova bridge, towards Gujarat, a senior civic official said. A portion of the culvert, right in front of Kutch Darbar hotel, had been blocked with debris by the by the encroachers on the highway and "that is why the natural flow of rainwater from east to west was disturbed and the roads got flooded after incessant rainfall", the official added.

The culvert is being unclogged in the presence of MBVV police. Pics/Hanif Patel

"All the dhabas and other food joints, including Kutch Darbar hotel, along the highway are illegal," VVCMC Assistant Commissioner Nilam Nijai told mid-day.

The matter was discussed when Rajendra Gavit, Palghar MP from Shiv Sena, held a meeting with Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) Commissioner Anilkumar Pawar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Vijaykant Sagar, Senior Inspectors (Traffic) Dadaram Karande and Sagar Ingole on monsoon related issues, sources said. The National Highways Authority of India officials also attended the meeting on May 24.

"The traffic officers strongly put forth their points, because water logging on Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway slowed down vehicular movement. They have to work hard to manage the traffic chaos caused by the clogged culvert near Sasunavghar. The rainwater would accumulate on the highway resulting in major traffic jams up to Dahisar toll naka," said a source.

Many motorists had also complained about the waterlogging and traffic congestion.

"Initially, we thought the heavy rainfall was causing the flooding on the highway... Later, we conducted a thorough research and learnt that the natural stream of water was blocked by the highway encroachers for their personal benefit. This had to be resolved to give relief to the common people. We discussed this with our senior officers, who raised the issue in a meeting with the parliamentarian last month," said a traffic police officer requesting anonymity.

Civic officials in the presence of Mira-Bhayandar Vasai-Virar police are carrying out the clearing work.

DCP Sagar said, "The concerned department is doing their work, and we hope that this year the vehicular traffic movement won't slow down near Sasunavghar."

VVCMC Deputy Municipal Commissioner Nanasaheb Kamthe said, "I got an order from the commissioner to clear the culvert, which was blocked by the encroachers."

Civic officials also asserted that the illegal food joints along the highway could soon face demolition.

May 24
Day the issue was discussed with the Palghar MP