Thane: Residents and motorists can expect smooth and pothole-free roads before the first spell of rain hits, as Thane district was kept on alert mode before and during the monsoon, officials said. The directives came from deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde following the recently concluded District Planning Committee meeting, where he instructed all agencies to treat pre-monsoon works as top priority.Officials present for the meeting said clear deadlines were set, including road repairs, pothole filling and asphalt patchwork, and instructions were issued that the works must be completed by the end of May.“The message is clear that any unfinished work will not be tolerated, and public inconvenience during the rains will not be excused. Departments were told to act now to prevent accidents, traffic snarls and waterlogged stretches once the monsoon arrives,” said an official.Shinde also emphasised tight coordination between the district collector’s office, municipal corporations, police and disaster management teams to ensure rapid response during heavy rainfall or emergencies. The aim is seamless action on the ground — from clearing flooded roads to managing traffic diversions — without bureaucratic delays.“Respective authorities of individual civic bodies were also asked to monitor structurally dangerous buildings, particularly those under cluster redevelopment, to prevent mishaps during intense showers. Health officials, meanwhile, were directed to stay vigilant against seasonal disease outbreaks, especially in rural belts, schools, anganwadis and primary health centres,” said officials. Beyond monsoon readiness, the administration is sharpening its focus on agriculture. Boosting farmers’ incomes through organic farming was identified as a priority, with steps ordered to ensure timely supply of organic manure, encourage pasture development and promote innovative farming practices. “The message is clear to fix the roads, plug every pothole, stay prepared for heavy rain, and ensure the district doesn’t stop and remains safe for residents through the monsoon,” said a senior bureaucrat present for the meeting.
