KAMPTEEROADFLY-OVER BOON to some, BANE for others

 

 

THE fly-over between LIC Square and Automotive Square is ready for opening soon. This fly-over is expected to ease traffic on the busy stretch of this national highway, and, in turn, life of many commuters. Butthe goodnessof the new development however ends here, as this fly-over is proving to be a nuisance for commuters travelling under it. ThecurrentroadbetweenLICSquare and Automotive Square passing through Kadbi and Indora Squares, is one of the busiest stretch of roads in the city. It has heavy vehicular traffic ofallkind,fromtwo-wheelers toheavy trucks. Making life difficult for commuters are the smallto big craters that arevisiblethroughoutthisstretch,making life hellish for citizens. Given the heavy movement throughout the day and evening time, those using the Kamptee Road must pray a lot as there are chances of one slipping in a bid to avoida potholeandfallingontheroad, where traffic flow is very heavy. Locals blame this condition of road todrainagewaterpouringdownonthe roadfromthenewlybuiltfly-over,which seemstolackanyproperdrainagefacility.

 

The water falling on road erodes the loose metal of the lower road creatinghugepotholes andcraters.These potholes are repaired but after a single spellofrain,the craters return back asbefore.This isbecauseas the tarand water do not mix, it ends up creating problemaplentyforcitizens, whocontinuetosufferinnumerabledifficulties. Even after the repairs, commuters experience uncomfortable, bumpy rides due to patchy work done while repairing without paying any heed to levelling of the road surfaceandtherepairedspots.Thisbumpy ride not only causes severe back and neckpain,butalsothreatensmoreserious health problems for regular travellers.

 

The road was underthe supervision ofNationalHighwayAuthorityofIndia (NHAI). A senior official of NHAI informed ‘The Hitavada’ that the road has been denotified and is now underthe process of being handed over to the State Public Works Department (PWD) for its maintenance. Some auto and e-rickshaw drivers ‘TheHitavada’spoketoexpressedtheir displeasure over the condition of the road. They said, “ This road has heavy traffic throughout the day. The potholes and bumps are scattered all over the place. In traffic, it is impossible to dodge the craters. If we apply brake before the craters, it creates a possibility of mishap taking place.” Asked about the water falling down fromfly-over,theyinformedthatalong withcausing potholes, commuters are also getting drenched in the falling water.“Two-wheelerriderstrytoswerve away from the falling water suddenly, creating possibility of accidents”, informed the auto drivers. Akhilesh Halve, Deputy General Manager, Corporate Communication, Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL), assured ‘The Hitavada’,thatproperdrainagesystem hasbeeninstalledonthefly-overwhich deposits this collected water from the fly-over to the median of lower road