Hindustan Times 03.09.2010
Had a bumpy ride? Blame the BMC
The BMC and the MMRDA have always been caught up in a blame game when it comes to the condition of roads in Mumbai. In August, Shiv Sena leaders including Mayor Shraddha Jadhav blamed the MMRDA for bad roads.
The MMRDA will only look after JP Road in Andheri and the Andheri-Ghatkopar Link Road in the suburbs. The eastern and western express highways are with state's Public Works Department.
The BMC's standing committee on Wednesday allotted Rs 60 crore towards repairing, maintaining and upgrading roads in the city, including the 13 roads that the MMRDA was looking after. The BMC has also sanctioned Rs 20 crore for three zones — the island city, western suburbs and eastern suburbs.
The amount has been proposed for 2010-2011 and 2011-2012. Rahul Shewale, chairman of the standing committee, said, "Construction of any new road like approach roads will be done using this money."
The BMC had earlier allocated Rs 40 crore for filling potholes. The municipal commissioner sanctioned an additional Rs 20 crore in August. "The heavy rains interrupted the exercise of filling potholes. Work will continue if we get two of three days of a dry spell," said Additional Municipal Commissioner A.K. Singh.
