A section of Sharada Devi Road in Bandra East, which connects commuters to the Western Express Highway and the Bandra Colony Metro station on the Aqua Line, has become a potential accident zone. Construction barriers around a dug-up patch have been lying toppled for nearly two to four weeks, leaving the pothole and unstable mud surface exposed, according to locals.
On the ground, the open pothole that was previously barricaded is now fully exposed, with fallen barriers providing no protection. The repair site is covered in loose mud, creating an uneven surface that poses a serious risk to vehicles, especially during the evening when visibility is low despite streetlights.
Drivers navigating the stretch have already felt the consequences. “I had to change my auto’s entire steering system after hitting that stretch. The pothole was earlier blocked, now the barriers have fallen, and it’s worse,” said Rakesh Kumar Yadav, an autorickshaw driver with 15 years of experience.
Commuters have also expressed frustration over the unattended site. “Every morning it’s the same situation. The BMC dug this road for some work a month ago and just left it like this. No accident has happened yet, but it’s bound to happen, especially at night,” said Prateek Singh, a daily commuter.
Residents added that while the underlying pipe leak has been repaired, the road surface itself remains unfinished, with mud covering the patch instead of proper resurfacing. “If a vehicle goes over it, the mud could sink and the pipe could burst again,” warned a local. They also flagged the danger posed by fallen barricades, noting, “If someone doesn’t see the fallen barricade and drives over it, both the vehicle and the driver could be at risk.”
Attempts to get a response from the H East Ward office have so far been unsuccessful, leaving locals anxious about safety. With traffic continuing to flow over a partially repaired and poorly marked stretch, the road remains a serious hazard for drivers, commuters, and pedestrians alike.
Source: Mid-day
