Mumbai: Borivali's Ashokvan residents struggle as broken roads, missing footpaths create chaos

The ongoing work in the area. pics/Nimesh Dave

Residents of Ashokvan in Borivali East say daily life has turned into a balancing act, with broken roads, missing footpaths and constant traffic chaos making even a short walk risky.

A key internal stretch, including the steep Hanuman Tekdi Road, has been dug up for infrastructure work for over six months. But with slow progress and large sections left uneven or barricaded, pedestrians are being pushed onto the road, often inches away from moving vehicles.

At a glance

Location: Ashokvan,
Borivali East
Key stretch: Hanuman Tekdi Road
Duration of disruption: Over half a year
Main issue: Dug-up roads, no continuous footpaths
Risk: Pedestrians forced onto active traffic lanes

Traffic chaos

>> Narrowed roads due to barricades
>> Peak hour jams stretching long
>> BEST buses getting stuck in face-offs

Daily disruption

>> Long commute delays within the locality
>> Constant honking and noise pollution

Why the delay

>> Multiple redevelopment projects in the area
>> Each requires sewage and utility connections
>> Rocky terrain slowing drilling work
>> Staggered execution to avoid repeated digging

Voices from the ground

Sudhir Oak, senior citizen
‘During peak hours, the situation worsens, and the narrow road is choked with vehicles. Walking here has become risky, especially for senior citizens and children'

Prerna More, Borivali resident
‘Hanuman Tekdi is a steep uphill road. With one side dug up, it is difficult to walk or even drive. In the evenings, vehicles get stuck for hours, especially when BEST buses face off. The honking never stops'

Tanvi Deshmukh, Borivali resident
‘It feels like playing land and water. You walk a few steps on the footpath, then suddenly you are on the road again. There is no system. What if someone meets with a serious accident before this ‘betterment' happens?'