Pothole-ridden roads in Karnal city wreak havoc on daily commuters

The deteriorating condition of roads in Karnal city has become a major concern for residents, with potholes turning daily commuting into a nightmare. Residents allege that despite repeated complaints, several key roads in the city remain in a deplorable state, causing inconvenience to commuters and pedestrians.

Whether it is the stretch from Shaheed Udham Singh Chowk to Meerut Road T-Point, the road between Nirmal Kutia Chowk and Noor Mahal Palace Chowk, or roads in Model Town, Sector 13, and Railway Road, potholes are a common sight. Additionally, work on both road stretches of the Mughal Canal remains stalled. Residents have urged the authorities to prioritise road repairs to ensure a smooth commuting experience.

“Karnal was the Chief Minister’s city for 10 years, but roads remained full of potholes. Still there is no change in the condition of roads. Most major roads are riddled with potholes, posing a risk of accidents. The authorities must ensure all roads are made pothole-free,” said Ashish Kumar, a resident.

Another resident, Puneet Kumar, highlighted the importance of the road between Shaheed Udham Singh Chowk and Meerut Road T-Point, noting that it connected Kunjpura Road with Meerut Road, passing behind Sectors 6, 7, 8, and 9. “The administration should ensure all roads in the city are pothole-free,” he added.

However, the authorities claim that many roads have been taken up under the Smart Road Project. Additionally, the Karnal Municipal Corporation (KMC) is planning to set up road safety squads in collaboration with road safety committee members to proactively inspect and address road issues.

The Smart Road Project has been divided into two phases. One phase is overseen by XEN Priyanka Saini, covering roads from ITI Chowk to Maharaja Agrasen Chowk, Ambedkar Chowk, and PWD Rest House. The second phase, which is managed by XEN Monika Sharma, includes 4.6 km of the outer road from Shaheed Udham Singh Chowk to Meerut Road T-Point. Additionally, Sharma will supervise work on the major hospital road from the KCGMC to Nirmal Kutia Palace Chowk and strengthening the roads in Sector 13.

“We have included several roads in the Smart Road Project and for others, we are establishing road safety squads to conduct inspections and take proactive measures,” said Dr Vaishali Sharma, Commissioner, KMC.