Residents of Gaikwad Wadi in Dombivli West have warned of a fast after Ganeshotsav if the civic administration does not repair damaged roads and footpaths in the area. Residents say years of deterioration on internal routes near Mahatma Phule Road have created difficulties for pedestrians, two-wheeler users, schoolchildren and local vehicles.
The affected area is near the Swami Vivekanand Arunoday branch on Mahatma Phule Road. Residents told Loksatta that the footpaths and roads in the Gaikwad Wadi neighbourhood have developed potholes and have not received adequate attention despite repeated requests to municipal officials for repairs.
Gaikwad Wadi is an older settlement with traditional chawls as well as newer housing complexes. An internal road through the neighbourhood connects Mahatma Phule Road with the Subhash Road area and is used regularly by pedestrians. Residents said the route also sees continuous movement of two-wheelers, local vehicles and vehicles from outside the neighbourhood.
According to residents, the roads and footpaths were built several years ago and have since deteriorated under regular use. The potholes become filled with rainwater, creating additional difficulties for people walking or travelling through the area. Residents also said stagnant water has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, adding to concerns among households in the settlement.
The condition of the route has particular implications for children and parents travelling to and from school. Small school vehicles also use the internal roads, residents said, and are affected by the potholes. The combination of pedestrian movement, two-wheeler traffic and school transport has increased the daily inconvenience caused by the damaged surface.
Residents also raised questions about local representation, saying that the area falls within a ward represented by three corporators but that none had addressed the deterioration in Gaikwad Wadi. The report did not include a response from the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation or details of a sanctioned repair project, work order or completion schedule.
Residents have therefore warned that they may begin a hunger strike after the Ganesh festival if the administration continues to ignore their demands. The proposed protest is tied to their request for repairs to the roads and footpaths and action on the waterlogging and mosquito problem reported in the area.
