A stretch of about 600 metres, flanked on either side by 3-metre wide drains, has become a giant bottleneck for Malad-bound traffic. Every monsoon, the clogged drains overflow, flooding the road. To make matters worse, the narrow stretch is riddled with potholes which could turn into veritable craters once it starts pouring.

"This has been the condition for a year. It began with the laying of sewage pipes, for which period the road remained blocked. After that they covered the dug areas in a slipshod fashion, making it very difficult for vehicals and pedestrians to pass," said the owner of a local stationary shop.

Said Gargi Bala, a local resident: "We moved in to a building on this road recently hoping that the road would be resurfaced before the monsoon. But there is no sign of the BMC stirring itself out of its deep slumber."

The road department of the BMC promptly passed the buck to the sewerage department. "They had undertaken the work of laying a sewage pipe on that road some time ago. The work of resurfacing will come to us once the sewerage guys finish reinstating the road," said J.T.Bharbhaya, a deputy chief engineer roads.

"Work has begun on New Link Road," claimed acting executive engineer of sewerage projects Bhushan Desai, adding , adding, "But it has been difficult because of the traffic."

Asked whether the road department will be able to complete resurfacing in time to avoid flooding Mr Barbhaya replied, "The flooding takes place because of overflowing drains." The buck passed thereon. "That is overseen by the storm water drain department," he added.