Admn must recognise importance of good roads

Should authorities provide good roads to tax payers?

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In the City Beautiful the number of vehicles registered with the RLA exceeds its population, which certainly has an impact on maintenance of roads. Potholes need to be filled and many roads, which are over 15 years old have to be re-carpeted. Fortunately, the Administration has sanctioned Rs 150 crore for the job. The Municipal Corporation (MC) had undertaken re-carpeting of many roads before the onset of winter. The work will certainly restart from mid February and potholes will be filled. More roads will be re-carpeted for the smooth flow of traffic. An indigenous hi-tech pothole repair machine developed by the Central Road Research Institute can fill 15 to 20 potholes in an hour. This will ensure quality, durability and cost effectiveness.

Harish Kapur, Chandigarh

Inner roads neglected by MC

While MCC deserves appreciation for maintaining main roads of Chandigarh, but it needs to closely monitor the pathetic condition of inner street roads, life-threatening potholes and slip roads. I must feel myself equally responsible for damaging the road in front of my home if I wash my car or verandah with pipe and let water spill all over the stretch. One must realise that stagnant water can create dangerous potholes or cracks on road. The MCC is collecting taxes on almost everything, including road tax, but doing nothing as far as inner roads of Chandigarh are concerned.

Ravinder Nath, Chandigarh

Check material used for re-carpeting

City roads are in shambles even after complaining by residents. Potholes not only damage vehicles, but also cause serious accidents and lead to traffic congestions. There is no mechanism to check the quality of material used for re-carpeting of roads. It’s beyond comprehension why officials concerned are not penalised by the MC for allowing substandard re-carpeting of roads. To improve the condition of tricity roads the Administration and the state governments should keep a check on the quality of material used for re-carpeting and make officials accountable.

Col Balbir Singh Mathauda (retd), Chandigarh

Agency, staff nexus compromises quality

Although roads and highways are constructed keeping in view vital parameters like strength of soil, traffic intensity, axle load to be transmitted and so on, yet ripping of surface, appearance of potholes and ruts is experienced too often. The causes attributing to premature failure can be poor drainage for surface, repetitive use by heavy load beyond designed capacity, lack of quality construction and use of substandard material. All this is compromised due to nexus between construction agencies, executive staff. Therefore, at each construction stage there has to be periodical and stringent quality assurance for material and execution. In the event of any premature distress, comprehensive investigation be launched and deterrent disciplinary action against those found responsible be initiated. The contractor must be made liable to restore damages failing which his earnest money be withheld and if need be he must be blacklisted. Notwithstanding all this for the user safety, priority must be accorded to restoring damages to prevent aggravation as a stitch in time saves nine.

SS Arora, USA

Don’t delay road repair

Good roads symbolise cleanliness and beauty of the city concerned. Good roads can save petrol, time and energy of the people. The authorities concerned should give priority to better roads. There should be no delay in repairing bad roads.

Sohan Lal Gupta, Patiala

Helpline No. to report potholes

People pay heavy tax for the registration of vehicles. In return, they expect motorable roads to drive vehicles without any hassle. The tricity roads are in bad condition. Potholes are one of the reasons of mishaps especially those involving two-wheeler riders. Tricity roads need constant monitoring to avoid deterioration. This is important in rainy season. The type of road users and modes of transport are diverse in the tricity. This increases wear and tear of city roads more frequently. Due to socio-economic conditions of residents, the tricity will continue to face such problem. Re-carpeting should be need based. The authorities concerned should provide a common grievance helpline number. Anyone can inform the authorities about potholes in the tricity. Fix responsibility of officials concerned. If need arises penalise/prosecute erring officials and other people involved therein. The MC is starving of much needed funds. This is all the more true in case of road management. For this, funds from industrial houses under the corporate social responsibility can be tapped. Let companies fund road repairs and in turn give them rights to display along specified roads.

Dr Rajeev Kumar, Chandigarh

A nightmare for motorists

The city road network is giving commuters sore back and slipped disc. Residents of suburbs allege that the UT Administration has abandoned roads and sectors and it has become a nightmare for motorists. Most roads in Sectors 11, 12 and 15 teeming with potholes give a bumpy ride to commuters. At certain places like the PGI roundabout witnesses many accidents many of which involve two- wheelers, which skid after hitting potholes and injure riders. In Mani Majra new potholes have appeared. Some spots on Madhya Marg and near Transport Chowk are accident-prone areas. The condition is same in Panchkula and Mohali. The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation got Rs 15 crore from the UT Administration for re-carpeting roads, but work is yet to start. It seems the MC has turned a blind eye towards the issue.

Vidya Sagar Garg, Panchkula

Bad roads have increased mishaps

The bad condition of roads in the tricity is a ticklish issue. Dilapidated roads are the reason behind increase in accidental deaths. It reflects the popularity of the tricity. No doubt, the authorities concerned show that the maximum amount of the sanctioned Budget is spent on roads. It is high time that the authorities wake up from slumber and promptly improve condition of roads in the tricity.

Anita K Tandon, Kharar

Spend taxes on road maintenance

The condition of most roads in the tricity is so bad that it has made driving difficult. It not only tests the strength of drivers, but also shockers and other parts of vehicles. Chandigarh is known as the City Beautiful, but condition of its roads does not suit its title. If revenue collected by the tricity authorities in the form of heavy road tax is spent on the maintenance of roads, I am sure that the condition of roads would improve.

Balbir Singh Batra, Mohali

Elected representatives also responsible

Commuters using vehicles registered after paying hefty taxes in Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali deserve proper roads. This can easily be done by politicians sent by the general public to the Legislative Assembly/Parliament if they have strong will. These elected representatives should call meeting of officials of the Public Works Department and assign them road-repair task, to be completed in a time-bound manner. They should arrange funds for the work. In case of negligence by any official in carrying out repair work, he/she should be transferred in remote areas.

Capt Jagdish Verma (Retd), Chandigarh

Govt forgets people pay taxes

The government is spending on roads, but the stretches at the entry to Chandigarh, including Landran, Airport Road and Kharar road, are full of potholes, which are the major reason of accidents. The government always forgets that people also pay taxes. The government spends maximum budget in posh areas of the city. Besides road repairs, reflectors and streetlights should be installed on all stretches.

Avinash Goyal, Chandigarh

Maintaining roads admn’s responsibility

The condition of roads in the City Beautiful and adjoining towns is pathetic. It’s horrible for drivers of vehicles commuting on broken roads in the tricity. Senior citizens riding two-wheelers face vertebral problems. Precious lives are lost in many accidents on potholed roads. It is the mandatory for the Administration of all cities to maintain roads. It is also important to keep a check on contractors so that specified material is used in road construction and repairs.

MR Bhateja, Nayagaon

Clear encroachments on footpaths

Roads in Mohali need regular re-carpeting especially after rains. Potholes on roads cause accidents. Speed breakers on various stretches are not as per road safety norms. In fact they have become spine and neck breakers. Further, footpaths constructed on either side of roads have been encroached by the MC water pipelines and by the public, who have extended hedges and green belts outside their houses. Pedestrians are forced to walk on main roads risking their lives. Therefore, all footpaths should be free of encroachments.

Col TBS Bedi (retd), Mohali

Onus of repairing roads lies on MC

It is responsibility of the MC to maintain roads in the city. There must be frequent visits by officials concerned to check road condition in all parts of the city. Councillors must inform the authorities concerned if roads in their areas are broken.

Tarlok Singh, Mani Majra

Two-wheeler riders more at risk

Providing good roads to the people for every day commuting is one of the primary duties of the Chandigarh Administration. No doubt, people pay hefty taxes when they get their vehicles registered. They deserve better roads to drive as it will save human lives. Better roads will also enhance life of vehicles. Potholed roads are dangerous especially for two-wheeler riders. These potholes become death traps at night even for four-wheelers. There is a dire need to carry on repair works. It will also help in streamlining traffic.

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi, Chandigarh

Common man taken for ride

Roads are an index of developmental status of a city as life in it runs on them. City roads were visitor’s envy and Chandigarhians pride under the Chief Commissioner rule. Now, less said, the better when common man is being taken for a ride by bulky civic and civil administrations. Surely, good roads are users right commensurate with their needs and aspirations. It’s time roads and other public utilities are covered under the Consumer Protection Act. Hefty amount goes into paying road tax at the time of registration of a vehicle. People happily pay at toll tax barriers on highways for smooth and fast rides. Compromise and lax quality control during road construction and repair is the culprit for the pitiable condition. Wearing of roads overtime is the norm but every pothole, due to erosion at places or premature loosening of coarse material at surface, speaks volumes on malpractices in design and execution, which calls for a probe. The purpose of a slip road gets defeated when entry to it is blocked by vehicles waiting for the green signal at the traffic light point ahead. Part of extreme left lane leading to a slip road needs to be prominently marked halt-free for vehicles to approach a slip-road.

Lalit Bharadwaj, Panchkula

MC, UT Administration doing little

As a man is known by the company it keeps similarly a city is admired by its road system. A well-arranged layout of a town is spoilt if it does not have a well-designed road pattern. A few years ago, the City Beautiful was known for its world-class roads. Anyone could easily make out from the condition of roads that he had entered Chandigarh. Of late, commuting on the UT roads has become a horrible experience for commuters, especially from the PGI to Transport Chowk and Tribune Chowk to Kisan Bhawan, which are dotted with large number of potholes. These roads have maximum traffic on which the UT Engineering Department should initiate the road repairs on priority. All chowks on Madhya Marg have pits especially the PGI roundabout, riddled with patches giving a bumpy ride to motorists. The Municipal Corporation and the UT Administration are doing little to carry out repair works while shifting the blame on each other. The commuters are left to their own fate as the fatalities on road have increased tremendously due to official apathy. During rains, road users bear the brunt of driving on potholed roads. Who is responsible for fatal road accidents due to potholes? Hefty penalties and fines should be imposed on officials responsible for the death of people on roads due to poor condition. Action should be taken against erring officials and defaulter firms, which are given contract to re-carpet roads. Though funds are granted for road repairs, it is a matter of shame that the MC has been splurging public money on trips to Leh and other parts of the country. When the MC is short of funds, it does not shun wasteful expenditure.

BM Dhawan, Chandigarh

Multipronged strategy needed

The Central Government focuses on highways, which is a step in the right direction, but more roads need to be travelled by the authorities. A multipronged strategy can improve roads.

Rajiv Boolchand Jain, Zirakpur

Potholed roads mean official apathy

Authorities consider collection of hefty road tax from all vehicle owners using city roads as their right. They are not even bothered to provide them safe roads. There is no denying the fact that bitumen roads, particularly internal roads in sectors remain neglected. Due to utter lack of attention of officials’ concerned, potholes appear on roads and cause accidents leaving vehicle users injured particularly during monsoons. Despite a prescribed periodicity to re-carpet every road, some these remain neglected for years’ altogether. This is because of mismanagement and misutilisation of funds for repair of city roads the by Engineering Department of the UT. The road in front of Axis Bank, Mani Majra, witnesses heavy traffic, but has knee-deep potholes filled with rainwater during monsoons, which have not been filled for the last six years or so. Who cares?

SC Luthra, Chandigarh

People pay taxes but get nothing in return

Never ever witnessed such miserable condition of roads in Chandigarh, which is capital of Panjab and Haryana. Being UT Chandigarh had ample funds. As there was no proper management of funds these went back to the Centre without being utilised a few years ago. Now, roads in Chandigarh are crying for attention. Every day, precious lives are lost in accidents. Roads in the residential areas are even worst. The authorities are least bothered about people, who continue to suffer while driving. The Centre Government is not interested in helping Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula. That is why it has reduced annual grant. People are fed up paying taxes for getting nothing in return.

Opinder Kaur Sekhon, Chandigarh

Construct proper roads, save lives

Roads in the tricity are in bad shape. There is no demarcation for slip roads where grass has overgrown. It can lead to accidents. It’s difficult for commuters especially two-wheeler riders to spot potholes in foggy weather and rainy season. Roads connecting peripheral towns need re-carpeting. Bumps and jerks due to uneven surface can lead to spinal injuries. Senior citizens and toddlers need special care while commuting. Roads in better condition will help ambulances ferry patients to hospitals safely. It is foremost duty of the Administration to provide better roads and carry out timely re-carpeting. It can save number of lives.

Abhilasha Gupta, Mohali

Please re-carpet roads in mohali

I live in Mohali, well know for bad condition of its roads. The higher authorities should pay attention to roads. Being a student, I usually cycle to my school every day. Potholed roads make cycling difficult. I request the authorities concerned to help owners of vehicles by re-carpeting roads properly .

Neetu Yadav, Chandigarh

It is failure of administration

The civic authorities, however, are completely apathetic to this danger to city residents. Potholes pose major risk to commuters and are so numerous that trying to avoid one often lands riders on another. The main reason for the deterioration of roads is lack of maintenance and the Administration’s failure. The MCs of Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali collect funds from residents in the form of taxes. They also get funds from the Administration. There is no mechanism to check quality of material used for re-carpeting of roads. Laying of paver blocks on green cover mindlessly leads to accumulation of rainwater on roads. It decreases the life of roads. The Administration should ensure that roads are repaired on a priority basis and leave no scope for compromise on quality work. The UT MC is going through financial crunch, but on the other hand, it is spending lavishly on trips of councillors and tea parties.

Vijay Malia, Chandigarh

Investigate why patches have appeared on roads

Potholes appeared on roads in the city inspite of recent repairs carried out by the UT Engineering Department. The authorities concerned should act on their own in repairs of roads or for that matter. Now, the senior UT authorities must investigate how the recently re-carpeted roads developed bad patches. Erring officials and contractors must be accountable for wasting taxpayers’ money. Such corrupt officials along with contractors must face departmental or legal actions as per provisions of law. This clearly indicates poor standards adopted by the MCs of the tricity in road construction. The Supreme Court has taken good decision regarding the authorities concerned compensating families of deceased, who lose their lives due to bad conditions of roads in the country. This will affect contractors’ as they will have to loosen their pockets because of their wrong doings. Millions are spent by the government on construction and re-carpeting of roads every year, but 80% of this amount is pocketed by corrupt officials and politicians. The roads are not designed properly and the material used in construction is of substandard quality. In a developed country, the contractor gives 10 years warranty on roads constructed by him but in India, roads start washing away in the first rainy season.

Funds available with the Administration should be used only for purchasing quality road material. The increasing level of corruption is to be curbed immediately. Providing better roads is the responsibility of every government particularly the Engineering Department. There seems to be no relief for commuters in near future.

RK Garg, president, Second Innings assn

With increasing traffic and lack of quality checks, life span of roads has gone down. Rarely, we see the authorities invoking any performance warranty clause if potholes surface prematurely due to poor road construction. Fund constraint cannot be an excuse for not providing better roads.

Vinod Vashisht, Convener, CFORWO

Chandigarh was once known for smooth roads and seamless traffic. The condition of slip roads is so bad that in some areas they seem non-existent. The UT Administration and the MC are almost bankrupt due to financial irregularities and this is why regular road repair work is not done. The authorities are answerable to city residents.

Pradeep Chabhra, prez, Chd congress

Roads are in a dismal state. Let alone

re-carpeting, even patchwork is not done. The MC is only busy levying taxes and not doing the bare minimum. The civic body must involve RWAs so that road work can be done properly. Areas where there is urgent need of road works have been left out.

Baljinder Singh Bittu, chairman, FOSWAC

We have halted the road works till February 15 due to non-conducive weather. Once it restarts, pending works of the past two years will be completed in six months. After completing the work of two years, we will be left with only present year’s road works. Earlier, we were short of funds. Now, we have sufficient funds.

KK Yadav, MC Commissioner, Chandigarh

QUESTION

An ASI on way home from the Police Lines was killed in hit-and-run case in Chandigarh, a 28-year-old woman was killed in hit-and-run case in Mohali and a cyclist was run over by a vehicle and his body crushed under a number of vehicles on the road in Panchkula. Do you think the police in the tricity are doing enough to check speeding of vehicles on roads?

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