BMC completes Vakola road concreting after residents raise safety concerns

The stretch in Kadamwadi, Vakola, in late May before the work was completed. Pic/Madhulika Ram Kavattur

A week after mid-day highlighted the concerns of residents regarding incomplete road concreting in the Kadamwadi locality of Vakola in Santacruz East, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) finished the work. When this reporter contacted the BMC H East ward earlier, a senior official had said that the work had been left incomplete due to the interference of a resident, who claimed that the stretch in question belonged to her.

A senior official, requesting anonymity, said, "After we contacted the property owner and talked to her, she let us carry on with the work without any disturbance. Hence we acted fast and completed the work this week. The work was carried out on June 2 and June 3, for which we had taken special permission from the roads department, as the deadline for concreting roads ahead of the monsoon season every year is May 31."

The freshly concreted road section in June. Pic/By Special Arrangement

Sachin Bhujbal, assistant engineer, maintenance, H East ward, said, "The problem arose due to the presence of drains extending below a particular house, which caused concerns among workers. Though there was opposition from the property owner while the road work was on, we finished the task. Now, residents won't be badly affected when the rainy season begins."

Voices of relief

Ivan Pais, who lives near the spot
‘We are happy that the work has been finished, and the road is now completely safe. Apart from this work, we have seen that the BMC has finished other small patches that had been left incomplete, making the road smooth for motorists and pedestrians alike'

A person who frequents eateries in the area
‘My three-year-old daughter tripped while walking on the road. Thankfully, I was with her and was able to stop her from falling. Now I don't fear her getting injured as the road work has been finished properly'