Road cave-ins haunt Mohali

Commuting on city roads has become a risky proposition, with incessant rain and ageing sewer lines making them prone to cave-ins.

“One never knows when the road may cave in right in front of you. The roads are perennially waterlogged, putting us at further risk of accidents,” said GK Bhullar, a Phase-XI resident.

The monsoon rains have left the city with severely damaged roads. The old sewer and stormwater pipelines have also collapsed at several points, resulting in sinking of roads.

The sewer line from PCL to Kumbhra Chowk and the stormwater drainage system near CP-67 Chowk has also collapsed despite recent repair work. A 100m patch on the dividing road of Sector 61-Sector 70 sunk in after the sewer line collapsed a week ago.

Residents complain that collapsed infrastructure is leading to waterlogging and slush in nearby areas. Phase XI residents in particular have endured a very bad monsoon this year with the laying of stormwater drainage system near the market being left unfinished.

For Nijjar Road-Chajju Majra road residents, vehicles stuck in slush, school buses plunging into open drains and traders downing their shutters till roads become motorable have become common sights.

Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal today carried out an inspection with Municipal Commissioner Parminder Pal Singh. and directed the civic body officials and engineering staff to accelerate the repair work.

With complaints increasing by the day, the administration officials have also assured that accountability will be fixed in cases where poor quality of construction or negligence is found.

“Apart from the Municipal Corporation, all local bodies and the Rural Development and Panchayat Department, Public Works Department, Drainage Department, Mandi Board and Water Supply & Sewerage Board officials have been directed to work in close coordination and restore connectivity, improve drainage, and repair public infrastructure,” the DC said.

Zirakpur, Dera Bassi roads crumble

Zirakpur and Dera Bassi are also in urgent need of cleaning of drains and sewers and the road repair work, residents said.

Road users on Zirakpur-Panchkula National Highway point out a pit in the middle of road near Sohi resorts. “Overflowing drains, broken roads, and waterlogging are treated as a part and parcel of the monsoon season every year. Citizens pay taxes, but still wade through knee-deep filth,” said Aditya Minhas, a VIP Road, Zirakpur resident.

Dera Bassi MLA Kuljit Singh Randhawa held an urgent meeting with the officials of the Municipal Council and directed them to inspect affected areas and submit a report within 24 hours.

The ongoing repair work near the flyover site at Bhankharpur has also exacerbated the traffic congestion on one side of the National Highway.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Amit Gupta met with National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the traffic police to manage the movement of vehicles on the busy stretch. As a stop gap arrangement, traffic will be routed through the service lane till the time work is completed.

The SDM also instructed NHAI officials to divert traffic temporarily so that the repair works can be completed without further delay.

Bhankharpur school building in need of repair

The building of Government High School, Bhankharpur, is in an urgent need of repair. Heavy rain this monsoon has led to cracks appearing in the walls, beams and pillars of the building. The ceiling in many rooms has also begun to leak. “Current leakage has also be witnessed in one fo the rooms,” said Jagpreet Singh, a village resident. The school playground is also facing the problem of waterlogging, other residents said, adding that drains in the nearby area had been blocked due to the ongoing work of national highway. School authorities said alternative arrangements had been made and the repair work of damaged portion would be carried out after the monsoon season.