Mumbai: Mumbai continues to struggle with a worsening pothole crisis as heavy rains expose the fragility of the city’s road infrastructure. Roads outside Kurla Railway Station have visibly deteriorated after recent downpours, adding to the daily woes of commuters, as seen in visuals shared on X by IANS on Friday.
Despite multiple assurances from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) about timely action and road repair, several areas, including Kurla, Sewri, Sion, Lalbaug-Parel and the western suburbs have reported deep and dangerous potholes. Bikers are the most at risk as they are unable to judge the depth of the water-filled potholes and many a times lose balance, resulting in crashes and injuries.
Potholes in Sewri | Vijay Gohil FPJ
Potholes in Sewri | Vijay Gohil FPJ
BMC Launches 'Pothole QuickFix' App And WhatsApp Chatbot For Faster Road Repair Complaints
In response, the BMC recently launched a fresh digital initiative to address pothole complaints more efficiently. The civic body’s Information Technology (IT) department has developed a new mobile application titled ‘Pothole QuickFix’, now available on both Android and iOS platforms. Alongside this, a WhatsApp chatbot service (8999228999) was also activated this week to streamline the reporting process.
Using the app, citizens can upload photos, location coordinates, and descriptions of potholes, which are automatically directed to the respective ward offices for action. The platform offers features like real-time status tracking, estimated repair time, and even a feedback and complaint reopening system for dissatisfied users.
For those not using the app, a WhatsApp chatbot can accept complaints by simply sending keywords like "Pothole" or "PT" in English or Marathi. If an issue is not resolved within 48 hours, it will be escalated to senior officials for review.
Abhijeet Bangar, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects), said the initiative is part of the Smart Mumbai campaign, aimed at promoting transparency and active citizen participation. “This is an excellent use of digital tools to ensure quality and accountability in civic services,” he noted.
Potholes Arise Despite Shinde's Promise Of 'Pothole-Free Mumbai'
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had earlier assured Mumbaikars that concrete roads were being laid citywide ahead of the monsoon and that all potholes would be addressed before May 31. “There will be no road digging after May 31 and Mumbai will be made pothole-free,” Shinde had declared.
However, ground reality tells a different story as complaints continue to pour in from across the city. With the monsoon intensifying, Mumbaikars now hope the BMC’s digital efforts will finally deliver long-promised road relief.
