Damaged rotaries a blot on city

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 30

Chandigarh, known for its roundabouts world over, is facing the “apathy” of the UT Administration and the Municipal Corporation.

Due to their indifferent attitude, several rotaries are lying broken, affecting their original shape for which they are popular. During a random check, it was found that a number of rotaries, including Sector 15/16/23/24, Sector 14/15/24/25, Sector 32/33 and Sector 20/30/32/33, were damaged. At some places, broken roundabouts have been fixed, but have not been brought to their original state. “Every second roundabout in the city is lying damaged. Such a situation never existed earlier. The repaired roundabouts have not been fixed properly. Besides, height of road near the roundabouts has been raised unmindfully. Most of these fail to handle the pressure of rainwater. They have changed the basic structure of the roundabouts by building road gullies in the outer walls (refer Sector 7/26/19/27),” lamented RK Garg, president, Second Innings Association, a senior citizens’ body.

“The authorities concerned do not restore the roundabouts to their original state after constructing them. Even junction numbers have been erased at several places. The architecture importance of the roundabouts has been killed. The authorities have unmindfully compromised the original shape of the roundabouts, which are known for their uniqueness in the world. The Administration should take steps to restore the old glory of the city,” he said.

Meanwhile, Garg has written to the UT Adviser about the deteriorating shape and look of rotaries in the city. Baljinder Singh Bittu, chairman of the FOSWAC, said: “The authorities are only imposing new taxes and busy in bringing new projects in the city for obvious reasons. Like roads, junctions are also in a poor condition. We have not seen such condition of the city in the past 50 years. Older residents will be forced to leave this city if this continues.” The Special Secretary-cum-Chief Engineer, UT Administration, said he would look into the matter.

MC Chief Engineer Shailender Singh said: “Some of the rotaries are under the MC, while others are under the Administration. I have also noticed that some roundabouts are in a poor condition. We will take up the issue.”