The deteriorating condition of service roads along Thane’s Eastern Express Highway and Ghodbunder Road is causing significant traffic congestion as vehicles spill onto the highways, commuters complain. A journey down these crucial arteries reveals the extent of the problem. Large sections of the service roads, including the one running past the Chief Minister’s residence in Louiswadi, remain desolate even during peak hours. This is because intra-city vehicles, including bikers, avoid these roads due to their poor condition, opting instead to use the main highways. This results in gridlock on the highways, affecting the flow of both intra-city and outbound traffic.
“The condition of the service roads is pathetic. Most of the time we end up diverting our car onto the main carriageway as dodging the pockmarked roads ends up wasting our time in addition to adding to vehicle maintenance costs. Even the road which crosses the CM’s residence in Thane has suffered damage, exposing the poor maintenance by the corporation,” pointed out a commuter from Ghodbunder Road.
“It has been observed that usually service roads are meant for the movement of intra-city traffic so as not to hamper the pace of outbound vehicles on the main carriageway. However, in Thane, we see an overlapping of vehicles on the highways while the service lanes end up remaining under-utilised,” complained Naresh Manera, former corporator and UBT-Thane functionary, who has also objected to the ongoing integration of service lanes into the carriageway.
The situation is particularly alarming as the service roads are designed to handle intra-city traffic, allowing outbound traffic on the highways to move freely. However, the current state of the service roads forces all types of vehicles to compete for space on the highways, leading to widespread delays and frustration.
The problem extends beyond mere inconvenience. The constant use of the highways by intra-city vehicles contributes to wear and tear, further accelerating the deterioration of these vital routes. This creates a vicious cycle where the poor condition of the service roads leads to more traffic on the highways, which in turn exacerbates the condition of the highways.
The need for immediate action to address the poor condition of service roads in Thane is evident. This requires a comprehensive approach that includes proper maintenance, repairs, and potentially even widening of these roads. Failing to do so will only worsen the already dire traffic situation in Thane, impacting commuters, businesses, and the overall economy of the region.
