Rs 72,000 fine on Lalbaughcha Raja committee for potholes on roads

In a letter sent to the committee by assistant engineer of BMC’s F/South ward it has been mentioned that during the routine inspection 36 potholes were found by the authorities.

“During the inspection, it was found that there were a total of 36 potholes created in the public roads and footpaths that fall under the civic body’s jurisdiction. These potholes were the result of pandals that were being created for the convenience of devotees visiting the mandap,” said the letter.

“Therefore, the committee should pay to BMC a fine of Rs 72,000 for 36 potholes (Rs 2,000 per pothole) for damaging the public roads of Mumbai,” the letter stated.

“These potholes were pits that were dug on the roads for setting barricades and erecting poles. These are being dug up by disturbing the crust of the surface which eventually makes the surface of the road hollow from within,” said an official.

Meanwhile, when contacted a spokesperson of the committee said, “There are at least 20 mandals in our vicinity that organise Ganeshotsava every year. They also set up barricades on roads and during procession they use the same roads that we do. But it is only us, who are being blamed every year.”

This mandal was fined before also for creating potholes in roads of Mumbai during Ganeshotsava.

In 2017, they were fined Rs 4.86 lakh, before that in 2015 a fine amount of Rs 3.36 lakh was imposed and in 2014, the committee was fined Rs 5.56 lakh. In 2012, the BMC had imposed a fine of Rs 23.56 lakh on the committee.