Residents’ body pushes for road peeling before re-carpeting in Panchkula to solve drainage problem

The Citizen Welfare Association (CWA) has urged the Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) and the Municipal Corporation to implement mandatory road peeling before re-carpeting, in an effort to address a growing infrastructure issue. The absence of road peeling during resurfacing has caused road levels here to steadily rise, nearly matching the Damp Proof Course (DPC) levels of houses, leading to severe drainage problems, particularly during the rains in the city’s older sectors.

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Previously, homes in the city were required to maintain a 1.5-foot height difference between the road and DPC to ensure smooth drainage during rainfall. However, decades of unchecked road resurfacing have gradually reduced this critical gap, resulting in rainwater flooding homes and blocking internal drainage systems. The problem is most prominent in Sectors 2 to 21, with residents worried that newer areas, such as the Trans-Ghaggar sectors, could face similar challenges in the near future.

The CWA argues that peeling the roads before re-carpeting would restore the gap between the road and DPC levels, ensuring better drainage. The association also suggests reusing the peeled material by mixing it with polythene waste for more eco-friendly, durable road construction, which could help save government funds.

In a letter to key officials, including the Chief Minister, Mayor and Municipal Commissioner, the CWA stressed the urgency of adopting this practice across all older sectors. “This is not just about better roads; it’s about safeguarding homes, conserving resources and planning for sustainable urban growth,” said CWA president SK Nayar.

Residents are now awaiting the administration’s response to this proposal, which promises to alleviate Panchkula’s drainage woes and set a precedent for sustainable road management.