BMC to fix potholes across city ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi

P Velrasu, additional municipal commissioner (Projects) said that no fresh funds have been allocated for the drive, and the entire pothole filling work would be carried out under the last work order that BMC had awarded for filling the potholes on Mumbai roads. Mandals across the city will start bringing in idols starting September 10, for the 10-day festival which begins from September 19 this year.

“More than 60 per cent of the Ganesh mandals are in the suburbs, while 40 per cent in the island city. Therefore, it is important to keep these roads intact on a motorable condition as the presence of potholes might damage idols while being carried to their destinations on handcarts, matadors, and open roof vehicles,” said an official, civic roads department, adding that roads in areas like Lalbaugh, Parel, Ville Parle, and Andheri — which houses several mandals — would be under strict surveillance.

BMC officials also maintained that mastic asphalt would be used for filling the potholes, and a nodal officer has been appointed to oversee operations in each of the 24 municipal wards.

“The pothole filling work will be taken up on war footing, and routine checks will be carried out to ensure that the roads are not being damaged by ganesh mandals, while erecting barricades and pandals,” according to the official. Earlier this week, the civic body had said that a fine of Rs 2,000 per pothole would be imposed on management committees found damaging roads of Mumbai while erecting barricades for the festival. It is pertinent to note that this year, BMC is set to spend over Rs 100 crore — nearly 25 per cent more against the amount spent last year — for filling the potholes.