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Those living near the ISKCON Temple in Juhu have halted concreting work, alleging that authorities were constructing a new layer of road over existing ones without considering the original road level, which they fear will worsen waterlogging in their area.

According to residents, the road has already been raised significantly, leaving nearby residential buildings at a lower elevation. They claim that the locality has been experiencing waterlogging during the monsoon season for several years and fear the situation could become more severe in the upcoming monsoon season.

Locals sceptical

Stating that every time road work is carried out, they are presented with the same logic, Creado said, “If, according to the authorities, this is the only correct solution, how is it that we face the same problem every year?

(From left) Juhu residents Denis D’Souza, Paul Creado, and Allan Coutinho, who have raised concerns about waterlogging in their area

Also, the openings of these gutters are quite small and cannot handle heavy rainfall, which is why the water enters our buildings. Moreover, the gutters are also not properly cleaned, so they always choke.”

Residents’ concerns

Allan Coutinho, 
‘Now that they have dug up the street, one can clearly see the multiple layers of roads built one above the other over the past decades. The road towards the ISKCON Temple has buildings, so the premises get waterlogged. The road towards the Juhu Church has gaothan areas with old houses that are small and directly on the road. If the road level is not lowered, these will be flooded’

Paul Creado, 
‘The authorities are constructing a new road over the existing one while our house stays at the same level. Rainwater has been flowing into our buildings for the past several years. This will make things worse’

Denis D’Souza, 
‘We are not against road development. But the work should be done scientifically. If the road issue is not addressed now, we will suffer for years. Development must enhance living conditions, not throw up new problems for residents’

Authorities explain

A junior engineer, who was present at the site

‘We are redoing parts of the road and addressing their concerns. At some places, the road does not have a natural slope, and thus we will have to make it, ensuring that water neither accumulates on the road nor enters buildings. This slope, which carries water into drains, will be at a level lower than the building entrances’