City roads turn nightmare

Ramkrishan Upadhyay

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 17

City roads have never been in such bad shape as in the past few weeks. From villages to colonies and northern sectors to southern sectors, potholes are a common sight on roads.

The road from Transport Chowk to IT Park through Bapu Dham Colony is in a pathetic condition with over 100 potholes. It is a nightmare for motorists and needs immediate repairs. Dalip Sharma, area councillor, admitted that while all roads at Bapu Dham Colony were crying for attention, the condition of the road leading to IT Park was worrisome.

The road is virtually a death trap, especially at night when motorists fail to notice the potholes while on the way to IT Park and Panchkula.

A pothole near the Bapu Dham police station is also posing a threat to commuters. Roads in southern areas such as Sector 32, 36, 37, 46 and 47 have been damaged at many places. The Sector 32 roundabout has been damaged once again. The condition of the roads is especially bad in villages which were merged with the MC recently. Residents are using the social media to seek the attention of the authorities. A resident of Palsora today posted a video of a muddy road in the village on which commuters were stuck.

Residents of Palsora said those on two-wheelers were at a great risk. Gurpreet Singh Happy, a former sarpanch of Daria village, said all roads had turned muddy roads after the rain. The condition of roads at the fruit and vegetable market in Sector 26 is no better. Thousands come to the vegetable market daily to bu vegetables. Sunil, a resident, said pedestrians found it difficult to walk to to the muck on the road.

Meanwhile, Congress councillor Satish Kainth demanded a Vigilance inquiry into the purchase of equipment for testing material using in new roads and re-carpeting. In a letter to the Chief Vigilance Officer, he said a Tata Ace vehicle was passed by the General House for on-the-spot mobile testing, but the B&R wing of the MC purchased a Bolero in place of it, which needs to be probed.

Third-party inspection

The MC has decided to make third-party inspection mandatory for road recarpeting. It will  sign an MoU with PEC and the NITTR for the purpose.