NASHIK: The Nashik unit of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has set a deadline of 15 days to repair the ghat section of Mumbai-Agra national highway.
Nashik NHAI project director B S Salunke said that the notice was served to the contractor on Wednesday, giving the latter an ultimatum to repair the road in the ghat section of Igatpuri by the end of this month.
There is a growing annoyance among commuters using the highway about the constant deterioration of the road. Many motorists have taken to social media, uploading images of the pothole-riddled road and questioning why the road is in such a state despite them paying the toll.
Nashik city Lok Sabha MP Hemant Godse had met Salunke on Wednesday demanding that the agency suspend toll collection at Ghoti until the ghat section is repaired.
“Under the rules, the contractor entrusted with the upkeep of the road has to undertake repairs of any pothole within 72 hours. But, in this case, leave alone the repairs, the road condition itself is fast deteriorating. The stretch has become treacherous for motorists,” admitted Godse.
The MP plans to accompany an NHAI team early next week on a visit the ghat section for an on-the-spot assessment of the road.
Salunke said that Nashik NHAI has also decided to rope in a consultant to suggest measures that need to be taken at 4-5 spots in the ghat section that are damage-prone, especially during the monsoon.
According to the Nashik highway police, the condition of the road is such that vehicles find it difficult to ply over 10-15 kms.
“What is more concerning for us is that the soil in the ghat section has become soggy due to constant rain in Igatpuri for the last 4-5 days and it could lead to a landslide. We have apprised NHAI about it and our team remains alert round-the-clock,” added a highway police official.
