Mira Road: Two days of relentless rainfall have paralyzed traffic on both Ghodbunder Road and National Highway 48, both crucial links connecting Mumbai, Thane, and Gujarat. Waterlogging near the Fountain Hotel junction, worsened by deep potholes and poor drainage, left commuters stranded for hours, with a 15-minute stretch taking nearly two hours to cover.

The 4.5-kilometer stretch between Gaimukh and Versova (Fountain Hotel), recently handed over to the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC), has seen conditions deteriorate despite repeated complaints. Rainwater from nearby hill slopes has flooded the carriageway, causing vehicle breakdowns and forcing traffic diversions into single lanes. On Monday, congestion stretched for several kilometers during peak hours.

Daily commuters voiced frustration. “Should we focus on avoiding potholes or reaching the office on time? This is our daily struggle,” said Ramesh Singh, a Mira Road resident. Local leaders also criticized the administration. “The patchwork repairs washed away in the first rain, exposing poor quality work,” said Siddhesh Rane, Youth Congress President, Mira Bhayandar.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had recently inspected Ghodbunder Road and directed MBMC to expedite repairs. While temporary measures on the Thane-bound lane have been completed, work on the opposite carriageway remains pending. MBMC engineers confirmed deploying suction pumps and JCB machines to drain water and clear blocked natural channels.

Meanwhile, heavy rains have battered NH-48 and surrounding areas like Vasai-Virar and Nalasopara, leaving low-lying areas submerged and roads muddy and slippery.

Residents and motorists are demanding permanent solutions. “We don’t want temporary fixes. Authorities must rebuild roads with durable materials so this chaos doesn’t repeat every monsoon,” said Mohammad Naqvi of Mira Road.

Traffic police continue to struggle with regulation, but until lasting repairs are made, commuters brace for more gridlock on this vital lifeline.