While potholes have become a regular feature on city roads during the monsoon, they will now greet motorcyclists on the 94-km long Mumbai-Pune Expressway with bumpy rides, too. The expressway sees an average of 50,000 vehicles plying daily. The incessant rainfall in the last week has led to the emergence of potholes near Lonavala. This might result in traffic snarls in the weekends when vehicular movement remains high with people heading to tourist destinations nearby. Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has claimed that contractor IRB Infrastructure Developers Limited is responsible for ensuring there are no potholes on the Expressway. "It is IRB that is responsible for complete operation and maintenance of the Expressway and we have already pointed out to them the measures required to be taken for the smooth maintenance of the Expressway," said an MSRDC official. When contacted, IRB blamed incessant rainfall for the potholes and stated that it will carry out the repair work during the dry spells. "Incessant rains cause untimely damage to the bituminous surface of the road, which leads to the formation of potholes," said IRB in a reply to email query sent by DNA. They added, "We have planned to attend the same permanently on a war footing as soon as we get a dry spell, for which, all required manpower and machinery has been kept ready." However, MSRDC has said that it has not issued any notices to IRB over potholes. Meanwhile, the expressway also came under the scanner for landslides, for which the MSRDC has sought Rs 100 crore from the Union Ministry of Road and Transport to carry out repair work near the Khandala tunnel. They plan to build slopes on the upper part of the tunnels, so that, during a landslide, the rocks tumble down towards the valley instead of causing loss of lives by damaging the vehicles plying through the tunnel. & analysis According to the contract between MSRDC and IRB, it is IRB that has the toll collection rights of Mumbai Pune Expressway and has to maintain it. This highway is the highest-paying tolled road in Maharashtra. Currently, the toll for small vehicles is Rs 230 followed by Rs 335 for mini bus and light commercial vehicle. If motorists are expected to pay toll to use the expressway, proper maintenance work should be carried out round the year to ensure them a smooth ride.

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