The daily commute on Ghodbunder Road in Thane has become so arduous that one prominent actor joked that traveling via Dubai might be a more convenient option. Marathi actor Milind Phatak, known for his role in the series "Tula Japnar Aahe," recently shared his harrowing experiences of navigating this vital, yet troubled, highway.
Phatak's studio is located near Owale Naka on Ghodbunder Road, and he resides in the Andheri Lokhandwala area of Mumbai. He recounted that in February, the commute used to take approximately an hour each way. However, the situation has drastically deteriorated, turning the journey into a "difficult, terrible, life-threatening, and extremely painful" ordeal.
The actor described the road after Fountain Hotel as being virtually non-existent, riddled with potholes that force drivers of all vehicles to risk their lives. He humorously noted that he had initially resorted to alternate routes via Mira Road, Powai, and Ghatkopar, despite doubling his travel expenses. "Now, the joke is that it will be easier for me to come to Thane via Dubai," he quipped, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.
Ghodbunder Road, a crucial east-west connector, facilitates movement between Mumbai, Thane, Gujarat, JNPT, and North Maharashtra. However, it has become a symbol of "failed urban and transport planning and bureaucratic apathy," forcing lakhs of daily commuters to endure relentless traffic jams and delays. Some are even considering relocating due to the daily struggle.
Experts attribute the congestion to the failure of corporation planners to construct alternate routes while approving numerous residential complexes in the region. As a result, city motorists are forced to compete for space with outbound traffic, creating one of the most congested corridors in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Delayed flyover, metro, and highway widening projects, narrowed lanes, and potholes, especially in the Gaimukh ghat section, exacerbate the problem, often causing commuters to spend hours covering short distances.
The Thane Police have issued traffic advisories, urging commuters to use alternate routes due to ongoing pothole repair work that leaves only one lane open. A video shared by the police showcased workers actively filling potholes amidst growing traffic backlogs. Residents, frustrated by the worsening conditions, have staged protests, even resorting to lying down in potholes to highlight the severity of the issue.
Commuters traveling to Mumbai, Nashik, and Gujarat have consistently faced harrowing times due to the combination of potholes and a surge in heavy vehicles. The situation is further complicated by vehicles driving in the wrong direction in an attempt to escape the congestion.
In early September 2024, a truck carrying hazardous chemicals overturned near Patlipada bridge, causing severe congestion and delays. Emergency services worked for hours to clear the road, but the incident further highlighted the vulnerability of the route.
The persistent problems on Ghodbunder Road have prompted calls for authorities to restrict heavy vehicles and expedite infrastructure repairs. Citizens are demanding immediate action to alleviate the daily struggles faced by countless commuters. As Milind Phatak aptly stated, "It is the right of people to have a basic, good road for commuting. Providing a road for travel is their important job, leaving aside all other tasks".
