Palava flyover a ‘skidding zone,’ four days after its inauguration

Loose gravel, muddy patches and poorly laid tar define the ₹250-cr flyover built over seven years

- Anamika Gharat

The Katai-Nilje flyover, commonly known as Palava flyover, was inaugurated on July 4 at the hands of Shiv Sena MLA Rajesh More, from Dombivli.

On the same day, two bikers skidded on its surface and suffered minor injuries. Less than a week after its inauguration, the flyover which was positioned as a crucial link to ease traffic congestion between Shilphata and Kalyan, is being ridiculed by commuters as a “skidding zone”, riddled with loose gravel, muddy patches, cement spills and poorly laid tar.

The 562-meter flyover was built at a cost of ₹250 crore; and four days since it was opened to public, 450 meters of the stretch has shown up its poor shape, evidenced by Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation’s (MSRDC) contractors seen onsite through the day busy patching up the hazardous sections.

Ashwini Pawar, an office assistant, who commutes from Shilphata to Kalyan, said, “We were excited to finally be able to use the flyover thinking it would save time. However, what was envisioned as a symbol of infrastructural progress has now become a glaring example of poor planning, delayed execution and administrative negligence.”