Near recently inaugurated Ashram flyover, potholes and damaged patches

The Indian Express visited the stretch — starting from Ashram Chowk towards Sarai Kale Khan and DND towards Noida — and found a number of potholes, peeled-off road surface and the concrete bitumen road turned into a gravel path. The situation is similar on stretches from Vinoba Puri to Ashram traffic signal, and towards AIIMS via Lajpat Nagar and Moolchand. The footpath from Maharani Bagh towards Ashram Chowk on the Ring Road also appeared to be damaged.

“Due to broken paths and potholes, especially while riding two-wheelers, it gives a sudden jerk and sometimes riders find it unable to handle their vehicle. We have filed several complaints for repairing these stretches,” said Mayank, a resident of Ashram.

At a little distance from the Ashram flyover, the DND towards Noida can be also seen with potholes which are filled with small stones.

“Due to the monsoon, if we repair the stretch, it will get damaged again. So, at present we are covering it with small stones as temporary measures but repairing work on these stretches will start soon,” said a PWD official.

Another stretch where commuters said they faced a bumpy ride, was the Noida Link Road from Mayur Kunj to Akshardham and the loop towards ITO.

While, near Mayur Vihar Phase-I, the PWD has repaired some stretches. According to PWD officials, the department handed over the Akshardham and Noida Link Road to the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) in June last year.

When asked, a senior NHAI official said, “We have taken the road from PWD last year and this stretch will become a part of the upcoming Delhi-Dehradun-Saharanpur Expressway. Repairing work has started. As it is a busy stretch, it will take a bit of time but the road will be repaired before September and the G-20 summit.”

The stretch going towards Vikas Marg, ITO and Delhi Secretariat, pedestrians’ path and cycle track have been damaged. Other stretches in South Delhi, such as Ber Sarai Flyover, Outer Ring Road towards IIT, IGI Airport, and Vasant Kunj-Mehrauli roads also need repair work done.

“Tenders for redeveloping several stretches have been floated. Work will take up soon,” said an official.