Mumbai: The typically reticent Bombay Parsi Punchayat (BPP)has actually grumbled to Union minister of roadway transportation & highways Nitin Gadkari about the worthless condition of the nationwide highway in between Dahisar and Talasari (NH48).In a letter to the ministry, BPP stated this highway is the only roadway connection to the expedition website of Udvada in south Gujarat, where the neighborhood’s essential fire temple, Iranshah, lies. “NH-48 Dahisar to Talasari has become a death trap and our community members and senior citizens suffer untold hardship due to poor construction done by NHAI-appointed contractors… All we ask are for our fundamental rights to good roads so that precious lives are not lost,” it stated.BPP trustee Adil Malia informed TOI that the neighborhood lost among its remarkable members, industrialist Cyrus Mistry, on that roadway due to bad roadway conditions and uncontrolled traffic. “The community has no alternative but to travel on NH48 and the route between Dahisar and Talasari is literally a ‘death trap’. Several near fatal and serious accidents have been reported,” he stated.
Filly Bapuna, who regularly drives in between Udvada and Mumbai, stated, “Driving on NH48 is a harrowing experience.
It was cement concrete a few months ago, but there are already potholes everywhere. A new Range Rover had a tyre burst twice on this stretch.”Dr Boorjis H Doctor, who is leading a project for a safe NH48, stated he had a near-death experience this year due to the carelessness of the roadway professional. “When I complained against the contractor at the Panvel police station, I was astonished to find that the senior inspector was unaware of Indian Roads Congress (IRC) norms, leave aside enforcing them,” he stated.
On Tuesday, supporter Sujay Kantawala, stated a journey from Boisar to Mumbai on NH48 took 6 hours.
“My sister has sworn to travel by train only and described this highway as ‘hell on earth’.”Highway activist Harbans Singh Nanade stated that in spite of costs Rs 600 crore on fixing NH48, traffic congestion and mishaps continue to take place. “This has raised questions about the functioning of NHAI and the contractor. The BRO (Border Roads Organization) is also primarily responsible for constructing and maintaining roads in border areas and difficult mountainous regions. Without wasting time, the services of BRO should be used for NH48 and Thane-Ghodbunder road for safe travel.
“A senior NHAI authorities stated traffic on NH48 is more due to the traffic circulation on the Thane-Ghodbunder roadway. “Though potholes are there, the main reason was the traffic on the Thane-bound lane. We are laying mastic on old bridges.”