Drive on Sion-Panvel highway this monsoon will be smooth: PWD

The highway connects Mumbai to expressways and highways that lead to Pune, Bengaluru, Konkan and Goa. It is used by more than 2.5 lakh motorists a day.

Your ride on the 24.5km Sion-Panvel highway is set to remain smooth this monsoon, as the public works department (PWD) has concretised the road to prevent potholes.

Kishore Patil, executive engineer, said around 10% of the concretisation work is pending.(Hindustan Times)

The highway connects Mumbai to expressways and highways that lead to Pune, Bengaluru, Konkan and Goa. It is used by more than 2.5 lakh motorists a day.

Last year, the PWD had faced flak, after potholes cropped up on several stretches. According to a senior PWD official, the stretches leading to and from the flyover on the highway were made of asphalt (also known as bitumen), and hence developed potholes after heavy showers.

CP Joshi, PWD secretary (roads), said a majority of the critical points were between Vashi and Kalamboli. “The stretches near the flyovers developed potholes, which hassled motorists. These stretches have been concretised. All critical points have been covered,” Joshi said. “In case of spots that are not concretised, we have used traditional methods to maintain it. We have widened and excavated the drains along the road to prevent waterlogging. There will be no potholes and no major logjams,” he said.

Kishore Patil, executive engineer, said around 10% of the concretisation work is pending.

Joshi pointed out the delay in finishing the work is owing to permission from the traffic police to block a portion of the road. “Near Vashi toll plaza, we have carried out work on eight of the 10 lanes. Work on the remaining two lanes will be completed by June 15, if we get a block from the traffic police. Apart from that, work on a small portion near Nerul village is pending,” Joshi said.