Thane: Congress Leader Pankaj Gaikwad Alleges Poor-Quality Roadwork on Bhiwandi-Wada Route
Thane, 12th March 2025: Residents and Congress leader Pankaj Gaikwad have raised alarms about the ongoing construction of a cement concrete road from Kawad to Aangaon on the Bhiwandi-Wada route, alleging the use of low-quality materials. They have reported visible cracks and surface deterioration, attributing it to substandard workmanship and possible negligence by authorities.
Gaikwad, who serves as the general secretary of the Thane Rural Congress Party, has accused officials from the Public Works Department (PWD) of failing to ensure proper oversight of the project. He has urged the district collector to take decisive action by initiating criminal proceedings against those responsible.
In a formal letter addressed to the Thane District Collector and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Gaikwad called for an investigation into PWD engineer Dattu Gite and executive engineer Sunil Patil. He claimed that the quality of road concretization along the Bhiwandi-Wada stretch is poor, making it structurally weak and hazardous for commuters.
Gaikwad revealed that he had initially filed a written complaint with the PWD department on January 10, 2025, but no action was taken. Despite staging a protest alongside local villagers, the authorities remained unresponsive. He is now demanding that the construction materials used in the project undergo testing and that those accountable for the subpar work face consequences.
PWD officer Dattu Gite confirmed that the vigilance department had already inspected the Bhiwandi-Ambadi road section and collected material samples for further evaluation.
According to Gaikwad, approximately 40 kilometers of road concretization has been allocated to three different companies across various segments, including Shelar Village to Aangaon, Aangaon to Ambadi, and Dakivali to Manor. He criticized these companies for failing to implement basic safety measures such as installing barricades, displaying work-related signage, or deploying personnel to safeguard excavation zones.
As part of broader efforts to ease traffic congestion in Bhiwandi, the state government has undertaken two major road concretization projects, collectively valued at ₹1,483 crore. These include the 43 km Bhiwandi-Wada-Manor road (₹1,113 crore) and the 18 km Chinchoti-Kaman-Anjurphata-Mankoli road (₹370 crore). These infrastructure upgrades aim to enhance connectivity between Thane and Palghar districts. The bhoomi pujan for these initiatives was performed last year by Union Panchayat Raj Minister Kapil Patil and Public Works Minister Ravindra Chavan.
Commenting on the issue, PWD officer Siddhartha Tambe stated, “Following the complaint, we have instructed the quality control team to conduct a site inspection and submit a detailed report. If any discrepancies are found, stringent penalties will be imposed on those responsible.”
