Just two months after completion, a section of the Mumbai-Nashik highway near Bhiwandi is already showing signs of wear and tear. Motorists are up in arms about the newly developed cracks and persistent potholes along this vital artery. The situation is further exacerbated by ongoing road widening and bridge construction between Thane and the Padgha toll plaza, leading to heavy traffic congestion during peak hours.
Section Of Mumbai-Nashik Highway Develops Cracks And Potholes
That’s Mumbai Nashik Highway, recently concretised and now road reparing has begun !🙄 @NHAI_Official @CMOMaharashtra #Thane #mumbai pic.twitter.com/qFO1CK7axz
— Sneha (@QueenofThane) July 10, 2024
Taking to social media platform X (Formerly, Twitter), users highlighted the issue by posting pictures of the cracked sections. Thane resident Sneha stated, “Mumbai-Nashik Highway, recently concretised and now road repairing has begun! @NHAI_Official @CMOMaharashtra #Thane #mumbai,” she wrote in her post.
Sneha has been a vocal critic of the road’s condition. “The road from Majiwada Naka to Saket bridge is becoming a traffic bottleneck due to potholes,” she told Mid-Day. “There are damaged concrete sections alongside stretches of old tarmac. Both the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRD) appear to be neglecting this stretch of highway.”
Also Read: Maharashtra: Men On Bike Filming Reel While Driving On Highway Crash Into Divider; 1 Dead, 1 Injured
Perennially Under Construction
Every road I travel on today is filled with potholes. The Mumbai nashik highway is full of potholes from start to finish. Pune city roads are absolute mess. And Mumbai city is perennially under construction. You are right. Paying tax through our noses and what do we get?
— Windy (@freenfootloose) July 4, 2024
Another daily commuter on the highway, who lives in Bhiwandi, stated to Mid-Day that the regular traffic jams and potholes are extremely troublesome for frequent users. He emphasized the importance of this highway for Bhiwandi residents. He suggested that the government should hold the contractor responsible for the substandard work. Another commuter noted that Mumbai city seems to be perpetually under construction.
Even the concrete work is substandard when it comes to Mumbai Nashik Highway.
And then some expect People to Retain @BJP4Maharashtra government in Maharashtra.@CMOMaharashtra @Dev_Fadnavis @AjitPawarSpeaks @nitin_gadkari @NHAI_Official where is the accountability????#shame… pic.twitter.com/spehQrEwEE— 🇮🇱𑘨𑙀𑘚𑘹𑘎🇮🇳 ראדק 🚩 (@RadekSpeaks) July 10, 2024
According to reports by Mid-Day, an MSRDC official, while acknowledging the issue, defended the use of concrete. He explained that concrete roads usually have a very low (0.02%) chance of developing cracks because they are rigid pavements, unlike flexible ones like tar roads. The road is currently under the defect liability period (DLP). The contractor has been instructed to investigate the locations with cracks. Workers have carried out temporary repairs in some areas using mastic asphalt, and they will undertake permanent repairs after the monsoon season.
The official further clarified to Mid-Day that MSRDC is responsible only for the 23-kilometre stretch between Thane and Wadpe. He concluded that the remaining section from Wadpe to Nashik falls under the purview of the toll operator, who is responsible for its maintenance.
Cover Image Courtesy: @RadekSpeaks/ X (Formerly, Twitter)
For more such snackable content, interesting discoveries and the latest updates on food, travel and experiences in your city, download the Curly Tales App. Download HERE.