On Mumbai roads, “work in progress” too often means danger in progress

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On a key Bandra East stretch that connects to the Western Express Highway and the Metro Aqua Line's Bandra Colony Metro station, the only thing "in progress" right now is the risk, a mid-day report supported by photographs has highlighted.

For two to four weeks, construction barriers meant to cordon off a dug-up patch on Sharada Devi Road have been lying toppled in the middle of traffic, exposing a pothole and unstable mud surface. Locals fear this may trigger a serious accident.

These barriers have fallen and are so ineffective, with loose mud over the repair site.

The road had been dug up a month ago, and it is unacceptable that a slipshod cover-up job has been done.

First, these barriers need to have safeguards at the site. If not needed, remove them completely. Repair and reinforce the patch not tomorrow, but today. While this is being done, ensure high visibility at the spot.

Lights should illuminate not just the patch but the area around it. Vehicles and people need to be forewarned about the work or cordoned off from the site.

All work sites, whether big or small, deep or shallow, must be secured in every way to prevent any calamity. Work once attended to must not be cited as finished till the entire space has been attended to, closed, and even cleaned up. One cannot prance away, leaving things in a mess and people in danger.

It is our pedestrians, especially, who battle uneven surfaces, poor pavements, un-crossable roads and low visibility. Work like this compounds the dangerous mix. Why should we have such a pathetic patch in the midst of a road that is a Metro approach/exit point?