Open house: what are your views on city roads developing potholes this monsoon?

Must plan drainage, carpeting properly

The condition of city roads during and after the monsoon is a significant issue. Potholes don’t just cause inconvenience but also pose a serious safety hazard for commuters as well as pedestrians, increasing the risk of accidents and traffic snarls. Poor construction quality and imperfect maintenance is one aspect of the structural problem leading to chaotic traffic on the city roads. Potholes and damage to the berms occur due to inadequate rainwater drainage. Besides, the ill-planned speed breakers, manhole covers placed two to four inches into the surface, heaps of building material on the roads and the pitching of pandals for family functions without any warning add to the commuter’s woes. Proper maintenance of the city roads needs solid funding, which may be difficult to secure when the state is already under a huge debt of Rs 3.82 lakh crore. Still, a large city like Amritsar deserves scientifically planned drainage and quality control when it comes to laying roads.

Bholla Singh Sidhu

Politicians, mc don’t seem to care enough

The potholes issue is not new to the city. It was there even before this year’s unprecedented rains. I strongly feel the MC is good for nothing. Our MC has been in deep slumber, irrespective of which party is calling the shots. The harsh fact remains that the entire city is plagued by potholes and ditches since forever! No politician has ever cared seriously enough to ensure proper development of roads and maintenance of the streetlights. Over many years, they have just catered to their political whims to ensure a grip on power. Vote bank is all they care about. Once re-elected they are quick to forget all promises made to voters. The MC and Improvement Trust offices too seem to serve no purpose. Large-scale corruption is rampant here. Moreover, inspite of numerous frauds being reported from these offices, the erring officials are roaming scot free. But who cares?

Sanjay Chawla

Invest in climate resilient infra

The monsoon has once again exposed the fragile state of road infrastructure in Punjab. The intensity of rainfall this year was far greater than usual and cities like Amritsar, Ludhiana and Patiala have witnessed severe damage with potholes turning many roads into accident-prone zones. Two-wheeler riders are especially vulnerable. Besides, they hamper the ideal flow of traffic leading to frequent congestions. Vehicles also suffer damage. The issue can be addressed by using durable materials such as polymer-modified bitumen, ensuring proper drainage, conducting regular inspections, filling potholes promptly, ensuring contractors take accountability and promoting citizen reporting apps for timely action. Now, connectivity is crucial for agriculture, industry and trade. Authorities must treat this as a wake-up call and invest in climate resilient infrastructure.

Amit Kapur

City roads need tender care & love

Amritsar’s roads need urgent tender love and care! The MC should roll up its sleeves and patch the potholes on key routes. Fixing drains is also key to preventing waterlogging woes. Let’s hold those responsible for pipeline work accountable and push for proper roads. Time for a road revival — smooth, safe, and sustainable!

Shaheen P Prashad

MC officials must be held accountable

Every year during the monsoon, the city experiences waterlogging due to which residents face a lot of problems, especially the elderly and the schoolchildren. Road construction and repairing is usually of poor quality and is rendered useless after a single spell of rain. And just like that, the tax payers’ money goes down the drain as the authorities have failed to fix the accountability of those behind the construction of these roads. The MC never bothers cleaning the sewerage before the rains. MC officials and councillors must be held responsible for this situation.

Meenakshi

Start repair work immediately

It’s very unfortunate to say that potholes in the city have not be repaired for the longest. The condition of the roads around the airport and Mirankot is pathetic. Merely fixing the potholes after the monsoon is not enough as the fundamental structural damage is not addressed. Moreover, after the rains, the soil remains wet and unstable due to which the fresh asphalt doesn't stay for long. The authorities should not wait for the monsoon to withdraw. Some roads are in an extremely shabby condition and thus pose serious risks to commuters. It is prudent to begin repairing these promptly. At least levelling the road must be carried out so that there's minimal waterlogging and unassuming commuters don't get trapped.

MK sharma

Good roads basic need, not luxury

The recent spell of downpour has once again exposed the fragile condition of our city's roads. What were once smooth stretches have now turned into pothole-ridden paths, making daily travel a nightmare for Amritsar's residents. Potholes are not just an inconvenience. They are potential death traps. Two-wheeler riders wobble dangerously, ambulances get delayed, and school buses jolt through these craters, putting children at risk. During rains, the potholes stay hidden under water, and accidents become almost inevitable. Should citizens continue to pay the price for the poor quality of road construction year after year? It is high time the authorities stopped resorting to temporary patchwork and instead undertook durable repairs with strict quality control. Accountability must be fixed on contractors who repeatedly deliver substandard work.

Roads are a basic civic necessity, not a luxury.

Kewal singh

Maintenance must be top priority always

I wish to draw the attention of the authorities towards the deplorable condition of the city roads. Several roads have developed large potholes, making commuting extremely difficult and unsafe. Commuters, especially two-wheeler riders, are at constant risk of accidents. Water-filled potholes add to the danger as drivers cannot judge the depth. Besides, these roads cause traffic jams and damage vehicles, burdening citizens with additional repair costs. It is disheartening that despite heavy funds being allocated for road maintenance every year, the quality of work remains poor. This reflects not only negligence but also a lack of accountability on the part of contractors and civic authorities. The MC must take urgent steps to repair the roads with proper quality checks and ensure long-term solutions rather than temporary patchwork. Maintenance must be given top priority.

Balwant singh

Only avail services of experienced workers

Potholes in the city roads develop during rains and over time develop into pools, kids can be seen jumping into them. The reason behind their development is corruption, use of low quality material, engaging inexperienced contractors. Further, not ensuring proper sloping to prevent waterlogging has only made the situation worse. Poor drainage and non cleaning of sewerages before rains become another important reason for pot holes to develop. The civic body must look at the 2.5-km-long JM Road of Pune which was built by a company in 1976 (it also comes with a 10-year warranty). The road has remained pothole free till date and has not required major repair work.

GS BEDI

Ensure enforcement of QC measures

We cannot always blame heavy rains for potholes as they sometimes develop even during the dry seasons. All thanks to the politicians, the authorities concerned which overlook the quality of material used for the roads. It is always the public which ends up suffering. Potholes are also the reason behind several accidents. They never get repaired for years especially when it comes to the rural areas. Teams must be formed to check the quality of work, materials used during road constructions anywhere.

Rameshinder singh sandhu

Need for collective action by residents

The recent rains have exacerbated the pothole situation in our city, creating serious risks for both commuters and pedestrians. It’s high time we, as citizens, take collective action. In our local communities, we can temporarily fill smaller potholes to prevent accidents, ensuring the safety of everyone around us. For larger, more dangerous potholes, it’s essential that we report them to the MC using official platforms such as the CPMG. Uploading clear photos and specifying the location will expedite repairs and ensure swift action is taken. The MC must prioritise road maintenance, especially after the monsoon, to avoid further deterioration. Together, through small yet impactful actions, we can make our roads safer for all.

Kuljit Bamrah

Use weather-resistent materials, have audits

The post-monsoon appearance of potholes across Amritsar is a recurring issue that demands urgent intervention. Beyond commuter inconvenience, it disrupts trade, logistics and tourism — all key pillars of our city’s economy. I recommend the use of durable, weather-resistant materials in road construction. Regular pre- and post-monsoon road audits, improved drainage to prevent waterlogging and introduction of performance-based contracts and third-party quality checks will go a long way. There is also a need to adopt digital tools for public reporting and quicker repairs. We urge the authorities to take a long-term, quality-first approach to urban infrastructure. A well-maintained road network is not only a sign of development but a necessity for economic growth and public safety.

Sumit Kumar

launch probe to expose corruption

It is an annual affair. Cracks and potholes develop after rains courtesy, the ill-timed laying of roads — at the very the advent of the monsoon. The materials used doesn’t get time to gain strength and are easily washed away during the rains. Every year, a lot of money is spent on repairs of the city roads only for the cracks to reappear, much to the inconvenience of commuters, sometimes leading to fatal accidents. A probe is needed to expose the alleged connivance of contractors who got the tender to execute the work and the officials of the MC and other stakeholders who keep on planning the repair works during the monsoon, leading to tattered roads.

Anil Vinayak

What’s the issue?

THE monsoon has once again exposed the fragile state of Punjab’s road infrastructure. Many Amritsar roads have developed potholes this monsoon. Consequently, commuters, especially two-wheeler riders, are at constant risk of accidents. Besides, these roads cause traffic jams and damage vehicles, burdening residents with additional repair costs. Now, connectivity is crucial for agriculture, industry and trade. The authorities have allegedly failed to repair these roads.

QUESTION for next week

The large-scale destruction of crop and homes across the rural areas has triggered criticism against the ruling AAP and Centre. Is this is a man-made disaster?

Suggestions in not more than 150 words can be sent to amritsardesk@tribunemail.com by Thursday (September 4)