Left unattended for weeks, residents demand action

Residents of Sector 20, Kharghar, are frustrated and angry as a newly asphalted road, repaired after nearly a decade, has been dug up just five days after completion and left in a hazardous state for almost 20 days.

Photographs of the site show a square section of the road excavated and abandoned, with debris, loose concrete, and soil scattered around. The once-smooth surface is now riddled with hazards, posing serious risks to commuters. Nearby, a partially constructed building and a metal fence add to the scene of neglect.

Local residents have voiced their dismay over the poor planning and lack of coordination among departments. Bharat Panchal, a resident of Sector 20, stated, “We waited for nearly ten years to get this road repaired. Now, it’s been dug up again within days and just left. It’s disheartening to see such negligence toward public safety.”

Another resident, Shanti Lata Savla, added, “The road’s condition is alarming, with commuters navigating around hazardous patches daily. Are we waiting for a major accident to take action? This situation is unacceptable.”

The issue has been raised on social media, with residents tagging officials and agencies, including the Panvel City Municipal Corporation (@PanvelCorp), CIDCO (@CIDCO_Ltd), and MLA Prashant Thakur (@ithakurprashant). Despite the public outcry, no concrete steps have been taken to address the issue.

Arjun Shetty, another resident, urged authorities to expedite the repairs and prevent future mishaps. “Freshly resurfaced roads should not be arbitrarily dug up. This not only wastes public funds but also endangers lives. Stricter planning and coordination are urgently needed,” he said.