City in the pits, literally

Aman Sood 

Tribune News Service

Patiala, December 9 

Poor roads in the city are a major issue with residents claiming that development had come to a standstill for the past decade. Notwithstanding tall claims of Municipal Corporation (MC), Patiala, that it was performing well, dilapidated roads in several parts of the city clearly speak volumes of its poor performance. 

Potholed roads are making commuters vulnerable to accidents, especially in the night. Travelling on a road leading to houses of Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and Cabinet Minister Brahm Mohindra makes for one bumpy ride, thanks to potholes. The road from Theekriwala Chowk to New Moti Bagh Palace was repaired a few times during the SAD-BJP regime but never relaid. The stretch was last spruced up when the city hosted the India-Pakistan Games in December 2004.

Several city areas, including Punjabi Bagh, Model Town, Sewak Colony, Lal Bagh, Nabha Gate, Sherawala Gate lane, Chhoti Baradari, Rajpura Road and Rajpura Colony, are the worst hit. Once one enters Model Town, potholes are more visible than metalled patches.

“Though Patiala may bear the tag of being the royal city, it cuts a sorry figure when comes to city roads. The roads in Model Town are in such a bad condition that big potholes can be spotted everywhere,” said an area resident, Kulwant Singh. He added that there were some areas where the construction work was left midway.

“We will vote this time, keeping everything in mind the fact that the councillors failed to raise the issue with the authorities” said Puja, a housewife.  

“The poor condition of the road, along the city bus stand, used by hundreds of commuters daily, also speaks volumes about the attitude of the authorities. The condition of roads in some areas has gone from bad to worse over the years but the civic authorities paid no attention to the repair work,” she rued.