Mumbai: Where’s the road, ask Aarey Colony locals

The road that goes from Aarey market towards Royal Palms is covered in potholes

Barely a week of rain has opened up the roads inside the Aarey Milk Colony, inconveniencing hundreds of its residents. The locals want authorities to show seriousness about the potholes and fix their roads on priority.

The worst-hit patch is a busy road that goes from Aarey market towards Royal Palms. When mid-day visited the area a few days back, the road looked as if a portion of it had been washed away. Pockmarked thoroughfares pose serious threats to two-wheeler riders.

Aarey has more than 40 km of internal roads connecting 28 tribal hamlets and 32 units. In 2019, some road stretches were repaired and every year before the monsoon, the work is repeated but there has not been any permanent solution as most remain carpeted by potholes.

The main road in Aarey colony that connects Goregaon, from near the Western Express Highway, to Marol and Powai is in good shape ever since it was handed over to the BMC. The other roads are under the care of the PWD - Public Welfare Department.

Aarey resident Rupesh Shukla told mid-day, "Many internal roads in Aarey are pothole-ridden and uneven, making them dangerous for bikers. When it rains, water accumulates in the potholes so people cannot really gauge them. This results in accidents. Also, it is very risky for pregnant women and senior citizens."

Aarey colony has many dairy farms that transport milk outside the area. They say bad roads impact the milk tempos as they cannot move beyond 10 kmph.

"We hope the MVA government will take a serious note of the condition of the roads and take necessary steps on an urgent basis," said Devendra Dubey, another local.