Though the Aarey Road contract was given for Rs15 crore for three years, the contractor is minting approximately Rs50 crore as toll fee every year, a survey conducted by the Public Works Department (PWD) has revealed. Despite such a huge expenditure, the road is in a pathetic condition.

The maintenance work of the 7.6km-long Aarey Road is with the PWD. According to the survey, around 29,595 vehicles ply on the road everyday. The collection of toll goes up to around Rs4 crore a month.

The stretch from VIP Guest House to Powai check post on Aarey Road is in a bad shape. “The condition of the road was bad during monsoon and the situation has worsened now. We wonder whether we are paying tolls for using the road or entering the area,” said a resident on the condition of anonymity.

“The story is same every year. The PWD just fills the potholes after every monsoon rather than making a proper road. Why the administration doesn’t opt for making a concretized road?” asked another resident.

The Aarey Colony administration said the incessant rain led to such a condition. “We have already started the road repairing work, which would be completed soon,” said PK Rajput, chief executive officer of the Aarey Milk colony.

“The dairy administration has planned to concretise the road and the work would be given on built, operate and transfer (BOT) basis. The tendering process for the same has already been started and the tenders will be awarded in January 2012,” Rajput added.