Kalyan Naka echoed with the slogan “Go to the pits,” featuring a unique performance by Rakampa with Manvi Ganpati.

Kalyan Naka Reverberates with “Go into Potholes” Slogans, Rakampa’s Unique Display Featuring a Human Ganapati

City News Mumbai/Gani Khan
Bhiwandi: In protest against the city’s dilapidated roads and deadly potholes, the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction) staged a vigorous demonstration at Kalyan Naka on Tuesday. Under the leadership of Rakampa municipal chairman Pravin Patil, workers erected a replica of a human Ganapati amid the potholes to protest against the municipal administration.

During the demonstration, workers chanted slogans such as “MPs, MLAs, Mayor and Councillors, go into the potholes.” The Kalyan Naka area reverberated with these cries. Protesters accused the Manpa administration and elected representatives of neglecting the city’s roads and demanded immediate filling of potholes and road repairs.

Pravin Patil alleged that nearly two and a half crore rupees were spent on filling potholes and road repairs before the rains. Yet, the quality of the repair work was compromised even during the first rainfall. Large potholes have appeared at various points on the city’s major roads, and the accumulation of rainwater has increased the risk of accidents for motorists.

Patil said that if roads continue to turn into potholes even after spending millions of rupees, the entire matter must be investigated. He demanded that a full account of the funds spent on pothole repairs be made public and called for action against contractors responsible for negligence.

Rakampa leaders said that Kalyan Naka is a major thoroughfare of the city. Large potholes frequently create traffic jams there. The route is becoming especially hazardous for two‑wheeler riders. During rains, water accumulates in the potholes, obscuring their depth and heightening the danger of accidents.

Rakampa warned that if the roads are not repaired soon, the movement would intensify to a broader scale.

The protest was attended by party officials and workers including Asif Ansari, Aruna Ankram, Janhvi Bhoyar, Shameem Ansari, Mahesh Yemul, Ranajitsingh Valia, and Vyankatesh Gaddam.