It has become almost run-of-the-mill to read about pothole-related mishaps. Motorists and pedestrians alike have become virtually inured to the inconvenience, hardship and even injury caused by bad roads and crater-like potholes
It has become almost run-of-the-mill to read about pothole-related mishaps. Motorists and pedestrians alike have become virtually inured to the inconvenience, hardship and even injury caused by bad roads and crater-like potholes. There is an even worse menace afoot — the roads themselves are caving in and collapsing.
In 2008, a road cave-in at Jacob Circle near Mahalaxmi took three lives. Another similar cave-in happened on the same road in April 2009, making it the third such incident in the Saat Rasta area and the sixth in South Mumbai in four years.
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This year, in May, a four-metre-long portion of August Kranti Marg, opposite Cumballa Hill Hospital near Kemps Corner caved in. In August, a water pipeline burst caused a similar collapse on the ‘VIP road’ connecting Girgaum Chowpatty with Marine Drive.
Yesterday, a busload of school children were at severe risk when the rear wheel of the bus went over a manhole that collapsed. The reason is always the same — leakage in underground utilities like water pipelines, sewer lines or storm water drains. The leak weakens the underground sand, leading to formation of a cavity and a resultant cave-in.
This is apparently an ongoing problem, and needs to be tackled at an institutional level, city-wide. Unfortunately the knee-jerk reaction to citizens’ woes is to point the finger at someone else, preferably in a different department. The result is generally the same — citizens and media alike are given the runaround, and none of the departments supposed to be involved come up with a comprehensive solution.
Surely we cannot go on like this. There are difficulties in practically every aspect of city life — at least let us ensure that the ground beneath our feet remains firm!u00a0
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