Broken Chandigarh roads cost Rs 500 crore annually to owners of over 10.58L vehicles: PEC study

“According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and the Chandigarh RTO, there were more than 10.5 lakh registered vehicles in 2020, comprising 4.8 lakh two-wheelers and 5.4 lakh cars. Poor road conditions add an estimated Rs 4,100 in extra costs per vehicle each year, pushing the total annual burden above Rs 500 crore as the fleet continues to grow,” Prof Gupta said.

On average, a car owner has to shell out Rs 6,000 per year, a two-wheeler owner spends Rs 2,000 per year, and a transport vehicle owner spends Rs 4,000 annually due to the potholes. Of the annual Rs 500 crore, car owners alone pay a whopping about Rs 328 crore, the study suggests.

However, the UT Administration and the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC) have shut their eyes to the losses caused to the city residents in one way or another due to the potholed roads.

Suspension, shock absorber, tyres wear off fast

The PEC study finds that the suspension and shock absorber systems of vehicles suffer the brunt of neglected roads. Continuous jolting wears off springs, dampers and bushings, two-wheelers become more unstable and accident-prone, while cars and transport vehicles face a higher risk of costly suspension failures that compromise safety and comfort.

“Tires are more prone to punctures and blowouts, and rims can be dented or cracked by pothole impacts. Frequent jolts also misalign wheels, reducing handling and fuel efficiency, and shortening vehicle lifespan. These factors force owners to burn big holes into their pockets on the upkeep and repairs of their vehicles every year,” Prof Gupta said.

“Repeated exposure to potholes and uneven surfaces damages vehicle suspensions, tires and undercarriages, lowering fuel efficiency and making travel less comfortable. Also, two-wheeler riders are particularly vulnerable, with elevated risk of accidents, especially near roundabouts and during the monsoon season,” he added.

Increased fuel consumption

Not just this, navigating broken roads means more braking, acceleration and manoeuvring, which increases fuel consumption.

“Engines run less efficiently due to poor road geometry, and extra rolling resistance from damaged tires and misaligned wheels further worsens mileage. For Chandigarh’s entire vehicle fleet, this results in crores of rupees spent on additional fuel each year,” Prof Gupta said.

Cost analysis

As per PEC, poorly maintained roads in Chandigarh place a large financial load on vehicle owners.

With more than 10.5 lakh vehicles on the roads (as of 2020), the estimated annual additional cost due to poor road quality is approximately Rs 436 crore, and it is likely higher today.

Prof Gupta said a study on the cost analysis of the damage was also carried out. “Broken roads accelerate tire wear, cause rim damage, and lead to alignment issues, all of which increase a vehicle’s maintenance costs,” Prof Gupta said.

The MCC, in a statement issued on Friday, said, “The road repair work has started. Damaged stretches are being prioritised.”