Thane/Nashik: The state has introduced a new technology that makes it easier to repair potholes on the crucial Mumbai-Nashik Motorwaywhich will significantly reduce travel time between the two cities, as vehicles will no longer have to slow down when crossing the damaged sections, said Prime Minister Eknath Shinde announced.
Shinde gave this information to the media after inspecting the ongoing repair work and the technology used for pothole repair on the Thane-Shahpur highway on Friday afternoon.
“We have implemented a geopolymer techno-patch system that can be applied quickly and we are also experimenting with the use of fast-hardening cement that enables road repairs in record time. I have inspected the ongoing work along the highway in the rural stretch of Thane and offered solutions to the authorities to minimize the inconvenience. After implementation, the travel time to and from Nashik and Thane will be reduced by another two hours,” said Shinde. Currently, it takes between 6 and 7 hours to cross the cities.
Expert Suhas Mehta, who has been appointed to introduce the new technology, explained that roads can be repaired even during rains and the desired results will be achieved. The affected roads can be reopened to traffic within two to eight hours, depending on the technology used, and the repaired sections can bear a vehicle load of 40 tonnes.
Transport operators from Nashik, including Dhananjay Bele, president of Nashik Industries and Merchants’ Association, welcomed the initiative, noting that the new technology being used on a small stretch of road has already yielded results. Rajendra Phad of Nashik Transport Association said, “Three weeks ago, trucks were taking 8-10 hours. It has now come down.”
Shinde said that while the Nashik Expressway would be reopened by the end of the year, an interim solution had been worked out on Thursday to ease traffic congestion on all highways connecting Mumbai to other districts.
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A survey found that heavy goods traffic from warehouses in Bhiwandi is causing potholes and traffic jams on the Thane stretch of the Mumbai-Nashik highway. Officials have inspected the area and plan to deploy more traffic cops and set up a control room to improve traffic flow. A lawmaker urged the government to waive the toll.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde ordered stopping heavy goods traffic to and from JNPT during peak hours and repairing potholes on highways using modern mechanisms. The measures include construction of temporary parking areas for trucks and use of precast concrete slabs on damaged stretches. The Thane Collector has been entrusted with overseeing the rehabilitation work in the area.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant reported that since the deployment of jetpatcher machines on Goa’s roads, the PWD has repaired 18,899 potholes at a cost of Rs 30.5 crore. Potholes identified through the PWD app will be prioritized for repair, with exceptions for roads with annual maintenance contracts. Goa aims to standardize speed bumps by 2025-26 to improve safety.
