When the roads go down

“The condition of roads in the southern sectors has been gradually decreasing over the last few years. On main roads like the Dakshin Marg and the national highway passing through the city, potholes are very common,” says Gurjusjit Singh, a resident of Sector 40.

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Santosh, a resident of Burail, says, “It seems that the officials concerned do not consider Burail a part of the city. They are only interested in maintaining roads falling in the sectors. Almost all the roads in our village are in a pathetic condition. The lack of proper stormwater drainage system ensures that the roads get waterlogged even when it drizzles. The road near the kabadi market is the worst, as it is perpetually waterlogged and offers a very bumpy ride.”

The situation is no better in the town of Manimajra, where development works have taken a backseat. “The town has been left completely neglected, and roads here have not been repaired for years despite repeated demands. All the roads in the town are full of potholes,” says Asif, a resident of Shanti Nagar. A similar condition of roads exists at Hallo Majra.

In fact, during an MC house meeting in January, councillors cutting across party lines had lashed out at the officials for the poor condition of roads. The councillors had said that the testing of bitumen was not up to the mark and there should be a ward-wise plan for re-carpeting of roads. The house had also resolved to hold special meetings to discuss the condition of roads and take regular stock of the situation by taking rounds of the city.

However, nothing has materialised so far. An MC official says, “The condition of roads in Chandigarh is much better as compared to the neighbouring cities of Panchkula and Mohali. Most of the roads are regularly re-carpeted. Whenever complaints of broken roads are received, they are immediately looked into.”