In order to ensure smooth coordination among various government agencies and departments looking after roads and highways in Mumbai for building durable roads, a panel was formed sometime back. But, ironically the members of the committee has not met in the last two years – reflecting their lukewarm approach towards ridding the city of its bad roads.

Bureaucrats and experts from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), Public Works Departmemt (PWD) and the Traffic Police Department are part of the panel.

The state appointed panel is expected to discuss on how to construct better roads and ensure they remain pothole-free.

Established over three years ago, the panel held a few meeting in the beginning. But, for the past two years, nothing substantial has happened. Experts say the committee should meet at least thrice a year once before monsoon, during monsoon and after the showers are over.

While the BMC wants all the city roads under its jurisdiction, it must first ensure that existing ones are well-maintained. Due to the presence of multiple agencies, citizens are confused about who looks after which roads. There are times when the state faces the flak for roads badly maintained by the BMC. This happens because people feel that the state has to maintain all the roads.