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While Mayor Ritu Tawde, Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, and other top BMC officials addressed Mumbai’s road infrastructure issues and the need to efficiently concrete stretches on April 7, Trombay residents have stated that an 800-metre road in Cheetah Camp has been dug up for four years.

MG Ramachandran Marg, the stretch in question, which lies between VN Purav Road in the west and the Cheetah Camp Muslim cemetery in the east, is ridden with potholes and is barely navigable.

In June last year, a BMC M East ward officer told mid-day that work had been halted due to the monsoon, and it would resume in eight months. However, residents said not much has changed. “A few years ago, BMC workers told us that plumbing work was on, but we doubt the work will be completed before the rainy season,” a resident said.

Residents’ concerns

Asif Sayyed, who has pursued matter for two years
‘Till last year, only 50 per cent of the road was done, that too unevenly. Though the progress is at 75 per cent now, motorists using this stretch risk damaging their vehicles, while pedestrians have to be extremely careful’

Mohammad Shah Jahan, coconut vendor
‘I have had to fill potholes with mud to ensure my cart doesn’t flip and fall. Some concreting has been done, but the road is still unsafe for everyone’ 

Official Speak

Ujwal Ingole, officer, M East ward
‘We are aware of the condition of the road and have instructed the central roads department of BMC to act immediately. The chief engineer has assured me that the work will start in full swing soon. We hope to give residents of the area a functional road soon’