As monsoon-triggered damage causes growing disruption on one of Thane’s most vital arterial corridors, the city’s civic leadership is exploring rapid concrete technology for immediate road repair on Ghodbunder Road. The stretch between Fountain Hotel and Gaimukh, particularly from Kaju Pada to Chena village, has become a critical pain point for daily commuters, with severe road surface damage leading to kilometre-long traffic snarls.
This corridor is a crucial link between the Eastern and Western Express Highways, also serving as a direct route to the Mumbai-Ahmedabad and Mumbai-Nashik highways. In recent weeks, the poor condition of the Thane-bound lanes has forced motorists into slow-moving traffic and even wrong-side driving, spilling congestion over into Borivli-bound lanes and areas as far back as Chinchoti. While earlier repairs were limited to the Fountain Hotel-bound side under the public works department’s jurisdiction, the Thane-bound carriageway remained neglected due to administrative overlap, as it now falls under the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC).
Following public complaints and mounting pressure due to severe traffic delays, city authorities convened a review meeting that included representatives from the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), MBMC, traffic police, forest department, and MMRDA. Officials confirmed that despite multiple patchwork repairs involving gravel and bitumen grouting, the road surface continues to fail under the weight of high vehicular load and intense monsoon showers. To address this recurring issue, the Thane municipal commissioner has proposed piloting the use of rapid hardening concrete—a material known for its quick setting time and reduced need for extended traffic closures. The technology offers the advantage of enabling durable repairs that can be executed within a short window, significantly minimising traffic disruption.
The proposed pilot would be undertaken in coordination with traffic police and municipal engineers, with scope to expand the application across the entire ghat stretch depending on results. Senior civic officials stated that if the trial succeeds, the method could be adopted widely for similar monsoon-vulnerable roads in the region. Traffic authorities added that the repair delays are contributing not only to vehicular gridlock but also to increasing road safety risks for both commuters and emergency services. Officials reiterated the urgent need for structural overhaul instead of temporary fixes, especially on a corridor that sees consistent intercity movement. With Ghodbunder Road functioning as a strategic spine for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region’s connectivity, the urgency to rehabilitate it sustainably is paramount.
The civic push for innovative repair technology reflects a growing awareness that urban infrastructure must evolve to withstand climatic pressures while ensuring minimal impact on daily life. As monsoon conditions persist, the success of this rapid concrete intervention may set a precedent for how metro cities manage time-sensitive road repairs amidst overlapping jurisdictional challenges.
Also Read : Darjeeling Records Multiple Landslides After Heavy Rainfall Damages Homes And School Property