Broken Chandigarh roads set for a makeover

Potholed and battered roads have tarnished the image of Chandigarh, also known as the City Beautiful. After rain, the situation worsens as commuters dodge craters, vehicles rattle and the number of accidents rises. For years, the city’s road recarpeting schedule has been ignored as the authorities passed the buck.

Now, after a direct rap from Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, the Administration and the Municipal Corporation (MC) have been forced into action. “Whether any road is under the UT or the MC, it has to be motorable and in good condition so that people do not suffer,” Kataria told The Tribune at Punjab Raj Bhavan, breaking the bureaucratic deadlock that left residents in the lurch.

The worst of the dysfunction played out over the V3 roads, stretches surrounding sectors. Councillors clashed bitterly in MC House meetings, with shouting matches, walkouts and marshals escorting members out. Resolutions were passed, opposed and stalled, while the roads stayed broken.

The MC blamed its empty coffers. The UT shrugged off the responsibility, citing jurisdiction. Roads due for resurfacing every five years went unattended for six to eight years. Meanwhile, citizens kept paying taxes, fee and fuel cess — jolted on every commute.

Kataria, who had promised a bailout package to the cash-strapped MC during his April interview to The Tribune, approved the MC resolution handing over 275-km V3 roads to the UT. Besides, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs approved a Rs 125-crore bailout for the broke MC. “I delivered what I said,” Kataria remarked, recalling his earlier assurance. He has now promised that “residents will see the difference” by the end of next month.

The MC’s stock excuse of “no funds” is harder to defend now. Critics argue that money has routinely been found for ornamental projects and grand functions, while the city’s lifelines were left crumbling.

A June MC survey underlined the gravity — 60 roads in “very poor” condition and 23 others in “poor” shape. Many have not been resurfaced since 2015-16.

Politics over potholes

The crisis has sparked a flurry of political reactions.

MP and former Union Minister Manish Tewari called it “unfortunate that the roads are in a pathetic condition, whether they fall under the purview of the Administration or the MC,” urging immediate repair.

Mayor Harpreet Babla, defending the BJP-led MC, pointed fingers at rivals. “The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party are playing politics. Had they not opposed the V3 road agenda in March, recarpeting would have been done by now.”

Former Union minister Pawan Kumar Bansal flagged deeper issues. “The dismal state of roads is visible to all except the Administration and the MC. While lack of funds delays timely repairs, shoddy construction is also a concern. Neglect of stormwater drains, gullies and kerb channels has worsened flooding,” he warned.

City AAP president Vijay Pal Singh was sharper still: “The BJP failed to arrange funds for recarpeting of the roads, which are riddled with potholes. Today, residents suffer due to the mismanagement and failure of the BJP-ruled MC.”

Residents, traders vexed

For residents, the debate has gone on long enough. “That is not mere negligence; it is dereliction of duty,” said Supriya Kumar, a local resident. Traders echoed the frustration. “Chandigarh cannot live on promises and press releases while vehicles rattle and accidents multiply,” said Gian Chand, a shopkeeper.

The road ahead

With tenders worth Rs 10.4 crore already allotted for 10.8 km of roads and bids under process for another 32.1 km worth Rs 31.8 crore, officials say the work has already begun in earnest. Repairs are also underway on 275 km of V3 roads, which were recently transferred to the UT Administration.

Kataria has pledged visible results by the end of October, but residents remain cautious. Chandigarh’s roads, they argue, don’t just need patchwork — they demand a systemic change in how the city manages civic infrastructure. Until that happens, every pothole will remain a reminder of delay, drama and dereliction.

— With inputs from Ramkrishan Upadhyay