Roads present contrasting picture in Chandigarh: Good in VIP sectors, bad elsewhere

A PEC (Punjab Engineering College) study had found that currently, 225 km road is in very poor condition and needs repairs estimated at Rs 33 crore while 180 km inner-sector road requires urgent recarpeting at a cost of Rs 42 crore.

People get a bumpy ride on the stretches near the housing board, transport chowk, Madhya Marg, sectors 26, 27,28, 29, and 30 while commuters get a smooth ride in sectors 7 and16 where the city’s VIPs stay.

Vinod Vashisht, convener, City Forum of Residents’ Welfare Organisations (CFORWO), stated that even as heavy rain is being blamed for potholes, how come the roads outside VIP areas remain unaffected.

“Recent heavy incessant rain across Chandigarh has exacerbated most of city road network. Currently, the majority of roads are full of potholes, craters and eroded surfaces leading to risky and bumpy driving along with causing unwarranted extra pinch on the pockets of vehicle owners. At the same time, conspicuously certain pockets and roads often used by VIPs still stand in very good condition,” Vashisht said.

He added, “Is this because of any road quality issues, lack of supervision, varying traffic usage, class of contractors deployed or selective allocation of work? Let there be a joint meeting of both the Chief Engineers of UT and MC along with a few stakeholders and experts so that this issue can be addressed in a better way.”

Naveen Manglani, vice-president, Chamber of Chandigarh Industries, said the VIP areas in Chandigarh enjoy top-notch infrastructure with smooth, glossy roads that scream privilege while the rest of the city struggles with crumbling, pothole-ridden stretches.

He added, “This glaring disparity is frustrating, especially for the common man who dutifully pays taxes, be it road tax, parking fees, property tax, garbage collection charges, income tax or GST, yet receives subpar services in return. Despite contributing to the city’s revenue, residents are left navigating neglected roads, highlighting a stark imbalance in prioritising public infrastructure.”

Why can’t concrete roads be made?

Surinder Bahga, former nominated councillor and architect, told The Indian Express as to why roads can’t be made of concrete like the Sector 32 stretch which sees no regular maintenance.

He said, “All areas of Chandigarh should be treated as equal. Why taxpayers shoud suffer? Let us make concrete roads to get rid of repeated maintenance.”

Bagha added, “In Mumbai, Marine Drive was built nearly 100 years ago and it requires no maintenance. In Chandigarh only one concrete road was made between 31 and 32 sector, and again no maintenance. Expressways are made in concrete. Mumbai has many other roads of concrete. Why can’t we have it in Chandigarh?”

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