“We are definitely a privileged lot compared to those living in the suburbs when it comes to enjoying good, pothole-free roads,” says Indrani Malkani, founder trustee and secretary of Malabar Hill Residents’ Association. “The condition of roads this year is much better than last year. In fact, we just have to call the contractors’ men and our work gets done,” she says.

On Monday, while the deadline for repairing all bad patches was extended to August 23, roads in Walkeshwar, Raj Bhavan, Nepean Sea Road, Mantralaya, Breach Candy, Malabar Hill and other areas were already free of potholes.

The civic administration itself admits that it upgrades and pays more attention to the condition of roads in South Mumbai, in the civic administrative wards A to D. “Obviously there is more focus as ministers and VIPs travel on these roads regularly. Although no extra money is paid for the works, the contractors are on their toes,” said a senior civic official from the Road Department. Road contractors assigned to the A,B and C wards have not been penalised a single rupee in fines. The contractor for D Ward was fined a minor sum of Rs 31,000, while fines collected in other wards ranges in a few lakh rupees.

While the L Ward (Kurla) contractor has been fined Rs 1,18,000 for poor road maintenance, the K East Ward (Andheri) contractor has paid up Rs 2,82,000 and the contractor for F North Ward (Dadar) has paid Rs 1,59,000.

However, technical director of the firm contracted to maintain roads in D-Ward, Deepak Jivani, says the main reason is the good quality of the original roads in these areas. “Most of the roads here have storm water drains adjoining them, which have been laid by the British. Storm water flows freely and the gutters are not clogged with polythene bags,” he said.

“We have never had any problems regarding potholes. We are one of the few lucky ones who can enjoy a smooth ride; the civic body attends to our complaints fast. Of course, it must be partly because the CM too stays nearby,” said 70-year-old solicitor Dilip Udeshi who has been staying in Walkeshwar for seven decades. The road his building stands on ends at Raj Bhavan, this whole stretch is pothole free.

For stock broker Ravi Cunha staying on Mount Pleasant Road, very close to the Chief Minister’s residence Varsha, potholes are a problem only those in the suburbs face. “I have been living here for the past 45 years, since my childhood, and I can confidently say potholes have never been a problem for people staying in this part of the city,” said Cunha.

URL:http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Even-among-city-roads-some-are-privileged/351079/