Public representatives and activists in Thane have launched a fierce criticism against state agencies for their handling of the Ghodbunder highway widening project. They allege that a severe lack of coordination and flawed planning has turned the stretch into a death trap, claiming the lives of several innocent motorists.
MLA Warns of Rising Death Toll Without Service Lanes
Jitendra Awhad, the NCP–Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP) MLA, issued a stark warning regarding the plans to remove and merge service lanes on both sides of the highway. He argued that this move would force heavy vehicles to share the same space with city traffic, drastically escalating risks for local commuters. "We have already seen 18 deaths on this stretch," Awhad stated. He expressed grave concern that the completion of the project could see this number rise, particularly with heavy vehicles operating perilously close to residential zones. "This might become the only highway in the country without service lanes," he added.
Three Agencies, Zero Accountability: A Recipe for Disaster
The chaos on the 11-kilometer stretch within Thane city is compounded by a fragmented management structure. The segment is handled by three separate agencies: the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), the Public Works Department (PWD), and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). Experts and locals point out that each body shifts responsibility to the others, leaving motorists to navigate a hazardous maze.
Drivers are forced to contend with potholes, sudden bottlenecks, and narrowed lanes caused by simultaneous infrastructure upgrades. A Ghodbunder-based activist highlighted the daily peril, noting, "Motorists constantly dodge potholes, diversions, and heavy vehicles—conditions that frequently lead to accidents." The activist emphasized that a dedicated corridor for local traffic could significantly reduce the spate of mishaps.
Demands for Compensation and Official Response
In the wake of the fatalities, Manoj Pradhan, the NCP-SP district president, has demanded financial assistance. He called for Rs 5 lakh to be provided to the relatives of each person who died in accidents on the Ghodbunder Highway. Pradhan challenged the authorities' narrative, stating, "The authorities are blaming victims for not wearing helmets, but in the majority of cases, fatalities have occurred due to the presence of heavy vehicles."
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik offered a different perspective. He claimed that the development plan did not reserve space for service roads, except for a 60-meter-wide highway section from Fountain Hotel to South Mumbai. Sarnaik asserted that all necessary safety measures have been implemented following the widening work. He added that only government transport buses and auto-rickshaws will be permitted to use the extreme left side of the highways as a regulatory measure.
