Mumbai, July 23: Disenchanted by the lackadaisical approach shown by the civic body towards the pothole-ridden roads in Mumbai, two Mahim locals - Irfan Machhiwala and Mushtaq Ansari - have taken the task upon themselves to make the Western Express Highway safer.

Machhiwala and Ansari have started filling the potholes using mud and concrete mix, along with levelling the uneven road patches on either sides of the expressway.

The duo began the campaign in April this year, after appealing the authorities for months to fill the potholes on the Western Expressway.

"Both of us have been doing it as part of our social responsibility,we started by filling 20-25 potholes in April this year on Western Express highway," Machhiwala said.

A total of eight fatal road accidents have been reported in Mumbai region so far in this Monsoon. The mishaps were caused due to potholes, which led to bikers being crushed under the vehicles coming from behind.

According to Ansari, the Western Express Highway is more dangerous for two-wheelers as the road is not only plagued by potholes, but also debris, debris, including bricks and broken paver blocks, piled on both carriageways of the highway.

Machiwala also lambasted the BMC and MMRDA while speaking to TOI earlier, saying the authorities have failed to live up to the minimum expectations of Mumbai residents, despite collecting the maximum taxes from the city.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 23, 2018 11:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).