Repair work has begun on the pothole-ridden Pimpri Phata overbridge near Igatpuri after deep potholes, loose gravel and skidding incidents made the Mumbai-Agra highway stretch hazardous for two-wheeler riders.
The damaged section is located on the incline leading to the overbridge, which connects traffic travelling towards the Samruddhi Expressway interchange at Igatpuri with the Mumbai-Agra highway. Motorists said the uneven surface had become particularly dangerous for scooter riders, whose smaller wheels are more vulnerable to losing traction.
Harish Chaube, a fire officer at a major industrial unit in Igatpuri, said regular commuters were aware of the damaged stretch and approached it cautiously, while newcomers were more likely to skid. He said he recently had to call an ambulance after two people travelling on a scooter fell while climbing the bridge and required hospital treatment.
API Ram Vhonde of the highway police confirmed that several skidding incidents had been reported at the location. According to him, the agency responsible for the road had earlier attempted to fill the potholes by dumping gravel on the surface. Instead of improving safety, the loose material made the stretch more slippery and increased the risk of accidents.
Following police intervention, workers began clearing the gravel on Friday and repair activity started on the damaged portion. Barricades have also been installed around the affected area to divert motorists and protect road users while the work is in progress.
The Mumbai-Agra highway continues to carry two-wheeler traffic between Mumbai and Nashik despite the opening of the Samruddhi Expressway, which has reduced the volume of traffic on the older route. The Pimpri Phata overbridge was built to prevent vehicles entering or leaving the Samruddhi Expressway interchange from disrupting highway traffic moving towards Mumbai and Nashik.
The road-safety problem comes amid other travel disruptions in the area. Commuters have reported heavy congestion near the Ghoti toll plaza because of ongoing roadwork, adding to travel times for people using the highway regularly.
Officials of the National Highways Authority of India were unavailable for comment on the condition of the bridge or the repair schedule. Police-installed barricades and the ongoing clearing and repair work remain the immediate measures at the accident-prone stretch.
