Dream road now pothole stretch

Expressway authorities refused to comment on how long it would take to repair the damage. They could not estimate the cost of damage, either. All they said was that they have started filling up the crater.

According to V Mittal, the expressway’s project director, ‘‘We have a team of senior National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) officials, including the general manager, inspecting and assessing the damage. They will soon submit a report to the Ministry of Surface Transport. Our priority is to maintain that two lanes are open for relief work.’’

On the extent of damage, Vittal said, ‘‘Any public announcement pertaining to the expressway will be made by the Ministry.’’

Residents of Jorapura village along the damaged strech of the expressway said the torrential rain have played havoc.

Says Dhijabhai Thakore, a resident of Jorapura village along the damaged stretch, ‘‘The damage was caused by flooding waters as they gushed over from the eastern side. There was a nullah under the expressway which was blocked and the water rushed over to the western end.’’