A protest over Mumbai potholes and alleged corruption in road construction is scheduled near the Sahar Road Metro 3 station on Thursday, September 10, with the Watchdog Foundation planning to place live cockroaches in road craters as a symbolic demonstration.
The organisation said the protest will begin at 12.30 pm near the metro station. According to the foundation, the action is intended to draw attention to the continuing deterioration of Mumbai’s roads despite the civic administration’s ongoing cement-concreting project.
The Watchdog Foundation said the cockroaches would symbolise uncleanliness, official neglect and problems that remain unresolved despite repeated complaints from residents. The group has also raised allegations of corruption in road construction, although the report does not provide documentary evidence or an official response to those allegations.
The protest follows renewed public concern over road safety after accidents were reported during Ganesh arrival processions in Kurla and Bhaleshwar. The incidents brought Mumbai’s pothole problem and the condition of city roads back into public focus.
Residents have continued to report potholes at several locations, according to the organisation. Poor road conditions can disrupt traffic and create difficulties for pedestrians, motorists and public transport users, but the supplied report does not specify the number of affected roads, repair deadlines or accident data linked to the Sahar route.
The foundation said it wants the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, Mumbai International Airport Limited and other relevant authorities to take note of the issue. It is seeking a permanent solution to potholes rather than repeated temporary repairs.
The reported next step is the symbolic protest at the Sahar Road Metro 3 station at 12.30 pm on September 10. No response from the civic administration, MMRDA or MIAL was included in the report.
