Residents of Dhake Colony Co-operative Housing Society (CHS) on JP Road in Andheri West are grappling with a damaged entrance weeks after underground cabling work was completed. The society’s sole concrete entry and exit point—for both vehicles and pedestrians—was excavated in early February to facilitate the project. During the work, a heavy industrial metal sheet was placed over the dug-up portion, allowing vehicles to pass without major inconvenience.
The society comprises five residential buildings and houses nearly 150 residents. Although the cabling work concluded within a few days and the metal sheet was subsequently removed, the entrance has not been restored to its original concrete finish. The surface remains uneven, strewn with mud, stones, and loose bricks, creating a hazardous stretch at the colony’s main gate.
Anand Shirali, chairman, Dhake Colony CHS, said, “The patch is at our gate. One has to be an extremely skilled driver to get inside. The work has been over since a fortnight at least, but this gate remains dug up. We have another small gate on the side of the colony, which can be accessed by pedestrians, though not by vehicles. Mud, stones, and bricks make this an uneven patch. If somebody needs an ambulance or fire brigade, this would be next to impossible. A doctor in the colony, who has a big car, parks on the road outside the colony to cater to emergencies. The turning radius is also extremely tight now, so it is difficult to manoeuvre.”
Despite complaints made via official phone lines and on social media platform X, residents claim there has been no response from the authorities.
One resident posted:
Shira Lee, on X
@mybmc Main arterial JP Road Dhake Colony CHS gate entry dug up 20 days back and not repaired. Getting cars inside/outside is difficult. The society has many senior citizens who may need an ambulance, but cannot enter. Bus route no. 425 is affected, too. K West ward – HELP!This unattended work is unacceptable. Senior citizens and small kids are at the highest risk of injury thanks to the high probability of accidents. Repair it quickly.
Another resident shared a personal ordeal:
“This patch is dangerous. A few days ago, I was taking my 11-year-old daughter to school on a scooter at 7.15 am. She had exams. The scooter wobbled on this uneven patch, and we both fell down. Luckily, we were not seriously hurt but certainly shaken up. This needs urgent attention.
We have been waiting for 25 days for this concreted and smoothened stretch. Even walking is difficult, especially for senior citizens who now fear negotiating the patch and put off going out. Recently, I had guests at home, and one visitor actually twisted his leg on this uneven stretch. I do not understand why this should take so much time.”
Source: Mid-day
