Chaos on Mumbai-Nashik Highway: Potholes and widening work snarl traffic

Road widening work and neglected maintenance create gridlock on vital route

Due to poor road conditions and ongoing road widening work, commuters and motorists travelling along the Mumbai-Nashik Highway between Vadpe and Thane are facing significant inconvenience. Crossing a one-kilometre stretch sometimes takes more than 30 minutes due to these issues.

Shirish Pawar, a recent traveller on the road, said, “The Vadpe-Thane stretch on the Mumbai-Nashik Highway is in really bad shape, all thanks to Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), which is carrying out the road widening work. The road near the Bhiwandi bypass is in a horrible state, with an uneven surface and potholes. This is the reason why motorists get stuck in traffic jams. The authorities claim they are temporarily repairing the road, but traffic jams still persist.”

It's important to note that there are numerous logistic and other companies in the area between Vadpe and Bhiwandi Phata. This leads to the usage of the road by heavy multi-axle vehicles as well. Sometimes, these large vehicles become stuck on the road due to potholes and uneven surfaces, causing further traffic congestion.

Ameya Sawant, another motorist, said, “The authorities seem least bothered about the common man, otherwise our road would be in better shape. Even ambulances get stuck in traffic jams due to the road's condition and the widening work. The authorities should aim to complete the work as soon as possible."

Currently, the stretch between Vadpe and Thane on the existing Mumbai-Nashik Highway has only four lanes, leading to heavy traffic during peak morning and evening hours. The MSRDC has initiated road widening work on this stretch. During monsoon, the situation worsens, and sometimes it takes up to 90 minutes to cover a 20-25 kilometre stretch.

Originally, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) was responsible for the project. However, the project was transferred to the MSRDC later on.

An agreement was signed between MSRDC and NHAI in June 2021 when the project was handed over to MSRDC. The decision was made as the contractor appointed by NHAI failed to carry out the work.

An MSRDC official, requesting anonymity, said, “We are aware of the inconvenience faced by motorists travelling on the Vadpe to Thane stretch of the Mumbai-Nashik Highway. We have already begun temporary repair work to fix potholes and the uneven surface caused by the road widening project."

30 mins
Time taken to travel 1 km stretch  

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