Fed up with official apathy about gaping potholes despite repeated complaints to Dehu Cantonment Board (DCB), residents have started taking whatever action they can. They filled up the potholes with water and put up red flags to warn commuters of the danger. At some spots they attached containers to the sticks along with a notice requesting citizens to contribute money to fill up the potholes.
The problem is prominent at Vikasnagar near Sankar Mandir Chowk, which connects to Mumbai-Bangalore highway and also Pune-Mumbai Expressway.
There are more than 15 potholes on a stretch of 20 metres. Residents said they brought the matter to the notice of the DCB authorities, but the officials said they did not have funds for the work of filling up the potholes.
Fed up, the residents have taken the matter into their hands. Anis Shaikhlal Shaikh (30), a resident of Ambedkarnagar in Dehu Road and a businessman, pointed out the danger posed by the potholes. He said on an average, 2 to 3 accidents took place on the same stretch owing to vehicles getting stuck in potholes and crashing into them at high speed.
Shaikh said, “The DCB authorities are not bothered and instead asked us to get the money for the work of filling up the potholes.
Shaikh added, “So what we have started doing is filling up potholes with water and putting up a big stick with a red cloth attached to it to draw attention of commuters.”
Another resident, Shyam Agarwal (50), said they attached a a small container along with a small notice to the stick asking people to voluntarily contribute money to fill up the potholes. “We have received Rs900 so far from contributions. But on Saturday, DCB officials removed the notice and took away the money,” he said.
Meanwhile Narendra Mahajani, office superintendent, DCB denied asking residents to pay money to fill up potholes.
“A budget of Rs70 lakh has been proposed for concretisation of that stretch of road, but it is yet to be approved. But even if this is approved, we won’t be able to do the work owing to the monsoon. Hence as a temporary solution, we have decided to use mud and stones to fill up the potholes,” said Mahajani.
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