Locals stage sit-in on pothole-ridden Palghar highway after two youths die

MUMBAI: Residents of Ambai village in Palghar district’s Wada on Sunday blocked the Wada-Bhiwandi highway for two hours after two youths died in an accident on the

MUMBAI: Residents of Ambai village in Palghar district’s Wada on Sunday blocked the Wada-Bhiwandi highway for two hours after two youths died in an accident on the pothole-ridden road on Saturday night. The relatives of the deceased led the protest and the road was opened only when they got an assurance that Wada police will launch an inquiry into the matter.

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Three youths were on a bike, which was hit by a tempo after their bike got stuck in a pothole and wasn’t visible due to no streetlights. Two of them — Amit Savra, 22, and Nitin Sambre, 23 — died on the spot near Ambai village, while Samir Pandre got injured and was admitted in a hospital. A case of death due to negligence has been registered against unidentified people with the Wada police. The Sunday accident was the third such accident in a week on the highway.

Meanwhile, Nilesh Sambre, a social activist from Wada, decided to sit on a fast unto death from Monday before the Palghar Collectorate to demand a CBI inquiry against the contractor. According to an RTI query by the activist, 140 deaths have been reported on the 65-km stretch in the past three years and over 1,500 motorists have been hurt. “This stretch was constructed in 2013 by Supreme Infrastructure India Limited, Powai, for Rs380 crore and there is rampant corruption in its construction,” said Sambre.

Nearly a 35-km stretch is yet to be constructed and at least two bridges are incomplete, said the activist. “There are two toll plazas on the highway and since March 2013, the construction firm has been charging motorists Rs 60-200. Why collect toll when the roads are taking so many lives? So, I have also urged the Collector to cancel the toll collection until the highway is repaired,” said Sambre.