Archive · 5 Aug 2026
Vasai Resident Plants Flowers in Potholes to Protest Neglect
After heavy rain in July, roads in a place called Vasai-Virar got many potholes.
A pothole is a big hole in the road, and when rain fills them with water, drivers cannot see them.
Because of this, a few people riding two-wheelers got into accidents.
A man named Robert Correia, who lives in Nandan village, decided to do something about it.
He took potted plants and placed them right inside the potholes.
The plants help drivers notice the holes and slow down.
They also show the people in charge how bad the road is.
Mr. Correia said the village council did not clean the drains on time, which made the road worse.
He also said the Public Works Department keeps promising to fix the road but has not done it yet.
He hopes the road gets a real fix instead of a quick patch.
Heavy July rainfall left roads in the Vasai-Virar region severely damaged with large potholes.
Resident Robert Correia protested by placing potted plants inside potholes on the Arnala–Vasai State Highway.
Correia alleged the Satpala Gram Panchayat failed to clean roadside drains on time, causing waterlogging and further road damage.
Two to three two-wheeler riders met with accidents in the past two days after failing to notice water-filled potholes.
He urged a permanent repair solution, saying the PWD offered only assurances without concrete action.
- Who
- Robert Correia, a resident of Nandan village in Satpala, protesting against the Satpala Gram Panchayat and the Public Works Department (PWD).
- What
- A unique protest in which potted plants were placed inside potholes on a state highway to alert motorists and highlight road damage.
- When
- After heavy rainfall in July; accidents occurred over the two days before the report.
- Where
- On the Arnala–Vasai State Highway within the Satpala Gram Panchayat limits, near Nandan village in the Vasai-Virar region.
- Why
- To draw authorities' attention to dangerous potholes and alleged civic neglect, and to demand a permanent repair solution.
- Location
- Arnala–Vasai State Highway, near Nandan village, Satpala, Vasai-Virar
- Protester
- Robert Correia
- Protest method
- Potted plants placed inside potholes
- Cause of damage
- Heavy July rainfall and overflowing, uncleaned roadside drains
- Reported accidents
- Two to three two-wheeler riders over the past two days
- Authorities criticized
- Satpala Gram Panchayat and Public Works Department (PWD)
- Demand
- Permanent road repairs instead of temporary patchwork