After mid-day highlighted how Bandra residents were unhappy with the methods employed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to fix a depression on St John Baptist Road, the H West ward of the civic body, on Saturday, finally placed a proper metal lid over the hole and levelled the surface around it.
BMC officials had informed this correspondent that the issue would be investigated and a permanent solution implemented after locals claimed that the depression was addressed in a slapdash manner two months ago.
A BMC worker installs a new lid over the hole on St John Baptist Road in Bandra West on Saturday. Pics/By Special Arrangement
After mid-day highlighted the matter in its September 26 edition, civic workers were spotted refitting the old lid, which is dented. Residents were not satisfied with the same lid being refitted, as they felt this measure was also a temporary fix.
However, on September 27, around 4 pm, the workers could be seen reinforcing a new lid. “They are doing the work properly; the workers have barricaded the whole patch to prevent the motorists from getting onto it, and a tarp has been erected above it to protect it from the heavy rain. Their swift actions are impressive,” said Floyd Gracias, an advocate and Bandra resident.
According to the workers, the lid has been left to cure, after which the whole patch would be redone with cement, to level the road with the cover. “Since the road sees heavy traffic flow, the previous lid was dented, and the cement around it was chipping off. We hope that this heavy-duty lid lasts longer, resists the weight of buses and trucks, and the cement also stays intact,” said Gracias.
Another resident stated on the condition of anonymity, “We are very happy with the outcome and are thankful to the BMC for finishing the work in under four days. It was a concern that people might get into accidents at night due to the uneven lid, which won’t be an issue anymore.”
