Traffic moved at a crawl-like pace on a 650-metre section of SV Road in Bandra West on Thursday, sparking speculation that this was the result of the stretch near Lucky Restaurant giving way and collapsing. mid-day learnt, however, that cordoned-off metal plates placed in the middle of the southbound carriageway were to blame. Over the past few months, road surface at the junction between Hill Road and SV Road has been dotted with metal plates due to water pipeline work.
Official Speak
The congested spot on Swami Vivekanand Road in Bandra West, where water pipeline work is being carried out. PICS/NIMESH DAVE
A contractor, requesting anonymity, said, “While many believe that the road on the spot has given out, it is not the truth. As Mumbaikars know, water pipelines are being changed, and by this Sunday we will finish the work, but till then we have to keep the metal plates, as filling and emptying the trench every day will slow down the process by weeks.” He added, “Though it is causing heavy traffic and inconvenience to commuters, we aim to finish this work as soon as possible and leave the spot with a proper road.”
Assistant Engineer Dharmatejas Prasannadas of H West ward said the work entails the replacement of an old corroded inlet water main of Pali Hill reservoir with a new mild steel pipeline. “The decision to use or not use metal plates must have been taken after evaluating the pros and cons of every other possible methods by officers of that department,” he said.
Noise concerns
Rafik Bashi Sayed
This reporter noticed pedestrians driving and riding on the edges of the plates, causing them to warp as they are unsupported from beneath. Rafik Bashi Sayed, who lives near the spot, told mid-day, “There is constant noise in the area due to this work. We have told the workers to pad the plates, but nothing has been done. At night, we hear the noise of work in progress, and in the morning, heavy vehicles roll over the sheets, creating a racket as well.”
What is happening underground?
>> Work being done: Commissioning of a main water pipeline 750 mm in diameter
>> Connection work is happening from: 11 pm on Saturday to 5 pm on Sunday
>> Water supply suspended on Sunday in H West ward, other areas to witness low pressure
>> Stretch affected: Ramdas Naik Marg, SV Road, and RK Patkar Marg junction in Bandra West
Cops Speak
(From left) Constables Salim Tamboli and Nitesh Ashok More
Salim Tamboli, Traffic Police Constable
‘This road sees heavy vehicular traffic, and in the past few days, three metal plates have been placed over a water chamber under it. Since then, I’ve seen two or three accidents take place’
Nitesh Ashok More, Traffic Police Constable
‘Today [Thursday], when the contractor came to the site, we told them about the issues, and he told us that they will cordon off the patch. We have been stationed at the spot while others are managing other parts of the junction to prevent vehicles from getting onto the plates to avoid accidents’
