PWD repairs 3,433 potholes in single day ahead of monsoon

The Public Works Department (PWD) on Tuesday repaired 3,433 potholes across the city in just one day, marking a significant step toward safer roads and proactive governance ahead of the monsoon season.

Led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and supervised directly by PWD Minister Parvesh Verma, the large-scale operation spanned all three major zones of Delhi — East, South and North — covering nearly 1,400 kilometres of main roads, internal lanes and high-risk accident spots.

“This wasn’t just a pothole repair mission — it was a commitment to end the cycle of delays and excuses,” said minister Verma, who personally monitored the work at multiple locations throughout the day.

The feat was achieved with the deployment of over 1,000 personnel, including engineers and ground workers, and over 200 maintenance vans equipped with advanced repair machinery and high-quality materials. Each repair was documented with geo-tagged, time-stamped photos taken before and after the work to ensure transparency and prevent any malpractice.

Pothole data was sourced from citizen complaints, drone mapping and local surveys — a combination of public feedback and technology-backed governance that officials say is setting a new standard for infrastructure management in the Capital.

In an uncommon move, Delhi government ministers and MLAs were on the ground throughout the day, overseeing progress in their respective constituencies to ensure quality and timely execution. Parvesh Verma’s personal site visits and interactions with engineers and workers underscored the government’s emphasis on accountability.

The timing of the drive was crucial, with monsoon rains expected to hit the city soon. PWD officials said timely repair of potholes can prevent rain-related accidents, especially for two-wheeler riders, and reduce instances of water-logging and commuter inconvenience.

Officials also confirmed that maintenance vans will remain operational during the monsoon season to address fresh road damage on a priority basis.

The one-day repair effort is part of a larger road infrastructure initiative by the Delhi government. According to PWD Minister Verma, 150 km of new roads have already been completed, with an additional 100 km underway. The government has set a target of completing 500 km of roadwork by March 2026.

Meanwhile, teams from the PWD, Delhi Development Authority (DDA), and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) are jointly addressing long-standing waterlogging issues across the city.

The Delhi government described the campaign as a reflection of the “Modi Ki Guarantee” — focused on delivery, transparency and citizen-first administration. Officials said the success of the drive demonstrates that with honest intent and timely action, even long-standing civic challenges can be resolved.