The Times of India             19.11.2013

Civic body to spend Rs one crore for highway maintenance

VASHI:Navi Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) is planning to appoint two contractors for the annual maintenance of Thane-Belapur road at a cost of around Rs 1 crore.

The 13-km-long T-B road has been divided into two segments for the annual maintenance.

NMMC will spend about Rs 45.47 lakh to repair the first segment between Rabale police station and Mahape junction. Another Rs 60.24 lakh will be used for the second segment from Mahape bus stop to Turbhe flyover. "The work order will be issued after the proposal is approved by the standing committee," said mayor Sagar Naik.

The condition of T-B road is deteriorating every day. About one lakh vehicles are using this road daily. The road dividers and footpaths are often damaged by accidents, said city engineer Mohan Dagaonkar.who stressed on the need for periodic maintenance

"Road repairs, filling concrete joints, fixing paver blocks, painting and marking road signs, supply of labours and construction materials are included in the cost," he added.

Social activist Vinayak Pole questioned the amount to be spent. "The corporation should rethink the issue before awarding the contract," said Pole. However, NMMC officials defended the proposal, "PWD had approved Rs 54.62 lakh for the first segment and Rs 73.39 lakh for the second. But we have proposed a rate that is 25% lesser than the PWD approved amount," said a civic official.