Mumbai: Criticising the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation over the condition of roads, RPI president Ramdas Athawale on Sunday said the pothole menace is bringing a bad name to the metropolis.
The former MP also said that the potholes have turned the condition of roads so bad that people could experience "roller-coaster rides" while negotiating them.
He was speaking at RPI`s initiative of distributing mediclaim policies to some motorcyclists in the city. The move comes after a woman reportedly died in Vasai in Thane district recently after falling from her two-wheeler in a bid to avoid a pothole.
"Mumbai is becoming an international city, but due to the potholes its name is getting maligned," Athawale said.
He alleged that BMC officials had no control over the contractors appointed for the road construction work.
"Contractors are not filling the potholes. They have no fear of the officers. They are hand in glove with each other," he added.
The RPI leader added in a lighter vein that there was no need for the people to go to Essel World, "as they can experience the roller-coaster rides on the city roads."
The BMC is ruled by the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance for past many years and RPI is an ally of the mega-alliance.
Athawale further criticised Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan for not calling a meeting to address the issues of the city. "The Chief Minister did not call a meeting. He is least bothered about Mumbai," he alleged.
The RPI mediclaim policy scheme provides an insurance cover of Rs five lakh to the kin of those who lose their lives in pothole-related accident, while Rs 2.5 lakh to those who will get severely injured, party sources said.
According to an RPI office-bearer, around 70 bikers have been registered under this initiative so far.
PTI
