40 per cent more roads dug up this year
This monsoon, motorists will have a tougher time maneuvering through city traffic because the length of roads dug up has increased by 40 per cent as compared to last year.
This monsoon, motorists will have a tougher time maneuvering through city traffic because the length of roads dug up has increased by 40 per cent as compared to last year.
This year, about 530 of the 1,900 km of road length has been excavated as opposed to 425 km that was dug up last year.
The roads have been dug up for projects such as the monorail, metro, skywalks and flyovers. The civic body has asked the agencies executing the work, to stop excavation by Friday and bring the work to a safe stage by May 10.
“We have informed all agencies including the MMRDA and MSRDC to clear the roads and pavements till May 10,” said A.V. Ralkar, chief engineer of the civic Road department. He said the letter was issued with the signature of Municipal Commissioner Swadheen Kshatriya. About the skywalk, Ralkar said, “It’s out of our control as the government agency is constructing skywalks.”
There are about 16 private and government utilities that dig roads every year with the permission of the corporation.
“To reduce the digging , the BMC has increased some of its rates from March saying the costs of repairing and resurfacing has shot up,” said a civic official from the Road department. A circular issued to all 24 ward offices says they should start charging as per the new rates.
