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An auto rickshaw union staged a protest at the Ambernath Municipal Council headquarters on Friday, demanding urgent repairs to pothole-ridden roads that they claim are causing serious health issues for commuters and drivers.
Led by the Ambernath Auto Rickshaw Union, more than 100 drivers gathered outside the council building. Protesters attempted to meet civic authorities but were reportedly denied entry by security personnel. The protest lasted for several hours before the drivers dispersed and returned to work.
Union members insisted that safe roads are essential for both drivers and passengers, and urged the authorities to take immediate action to fill the potholes.
“For the last six months, we have repeatedly filed complaints about potholes caused by gas line installations and CCTV-related digging by the authorities,” said a union representative. “But the council has ignored our appeals. If no action is taken, we will return to the streets next week with thousands of protestors.”
In response, Rajesh Tadvi, City Engineer of the Ambernath Municipal Council, told FPJ that they currently do not have funds to repair roads. However, he added that they will identify major potholes and fill them.
In a separate development in Bhiwandi, the Bhiwandi Nagarik Jivit Bachav Sangharsh Samiti held a press conference, warning concerned authorities that if pothole issues on key city roads are not addressed, they will stage a mass protest on June 25.
Residents claim that over the past five to six months, roads such as Bhiwandi-Wada Road, Anjur-Thane Road, and the Bhiwandi-Padgha-Kalyan stretch have suffered from severe congestion due to large, unrepaired potholes.
Kiran Channe, convenor of the Bhiwandi Nagarik Jivit Bachav Sangharsh Samiti, criticized the administration, Public Works Department (PWD), concerned authorities, and traffic police, stating that all have failed to manage traffic and road maintenance effectively.
Channe further alleged that traffic police are allowing heavy vehicles to enter city roads in exchange for bribes. "We urge all political parties and NGOs to unite on Wednesday and demand pothole-free, traffic-free roads for the safety of all residents," he added.
