Motorists in Mumbai’s Bhandup area have raised concerns over a slippery stretch beneath the Eastern Express Highway flyover, claiming that leaking waste and oil from passing trucks have been responsible for frequent two-wheeler accidents at the location.
The problematic spot is located near the Bhandup pumping junction, where riders say a layer of murky liquid often accumulates on the road surface. According to local commuters, the issue has persisted for years and is less a matter of road design than inadequate maintenance and cleaning.
Salahuddin Shaik, a resident of Bhandup and a regular two-wheeler rider, said, “We have been seeing many accidents here. Watery waste from garbage trucks leaks onto the road, and this mixes with dirt to create a slippery layer that causes accidents.”
Local residents and commuters allege that trucks carrying waste frequently leak liquids onto the carriageway, while oil spills from heavy vehicles further worsen conditions, particularly near turning points where vehicles slow down.
A roadside hawker, who requested anonymity, said, “It is not only the garbage, but also oil that leaks out of the trucks as they slow down here to take a turn. The traffic police always put up barricades, but it doesn’t make a difference. With the monsoon arriving, the road will be even more dangerous if it is not cleaned. We have faith that the civic body will do the work once it is brought to its attention.”
The issue gained wider attention on Sunday after Shaik shared a video on Instagram showing multiple riders losing control at the same location within minutes. According to him, a father and son, another motorcyclist and a couple on a two-wheeler all skidded and fell in quick succession.
“In a span of two to three minutes, we saw three accidents, first the father and son, then another guy on a bike, and then a couple,” he said.
While no major injuries have been reported so far, Shaik warned that the situation could eventually result in a serious tragedy if corrective measures are not taken.
“It is only a matter of time before a life is lost here if things don’t change. We just want the civic authorities to clean the road to prevent such an occurrence,” he said.
A traffic police officer stationed at the junction acknowledged the recurring problem. “We have always been wary of the spot. In the past, we have called the fire department to lay mud on the surface of the stretch as a temporary measure. We barricade the spot time and again, but riders are the ones who move them to make U-turns.”
Residents are now urging the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to undertake regular cleaning and maintenance of the stretch, especially ahead of the monsoon season when road conditions are expected to deteriorate further.
Source: Mid-day
