Fresh lease of life to Shilfhata-Kalyan-Bhiwandi road soon

Mumbai, Dec 17 (UNI) The 21-km stretch of Shilfhata-Kalyan-Bhiwandi road in the neighbouring Thane district, that connects the eastern townships of Kalyan, Dombivali, Ulhasnagar, Ambernath and Badlapur to Mumbai is likely to get a face-lift what with the road possibly getting repaired soon.

The issue cropped up in the Legislative Council last week where Deputy Chairman of the Upper House Vasant Davkhare directed the government to go for competitive bids for the repair of the badly damaged road.

Congress member of the Legislative Council Sanjay Dutt told UNI the road was the lifeline of lakhs of citizens of the eastern townships who travel to Mumbai for work and was even being used by people to travel to Pune, Navi Mumbai and Murbad in Raigad district.

However, he pointed out that it has been in an extremely bad shape in recent years. So far 200 to 250 persons have died in accidents and more than 700 grievously injured commuting on this road.

Dutt said he raised the issue in the Legislative Council last week in Nagpur through a 'calling attention notice' and highlighted the pathetic condition of the road and the state government's apathetic attitude.

He said BJP President Nitin Gadkari intervened in the debate and alleged that the government had given the repair work of the road to a blacklisted Malaysian company. He demanded that fresh tenders be invited and the work be completed within a year.

Mr Davkhare directed the Public Undertaking Minister Anil Deshmukh to verify whether the repair work had indeed been given to a blacklisted Malaysian company.

''The Deputy Chairman said if it has indeed been given to a blacklisted company, the contract be cancelled and competitive bids be invited within a month. The concerned minister should convey a meeting of legislators from Thane district soon to discuss the completion of the project at the earliest,'' Dutt added.

UNI MR KU AG1729