*Reasons for tattered roads and the way forward

● Long-pending maintenance works

● Roads dug-out by residents for laying down of pipes, etc.

● Local authorities and contractors digging out roads for laying water, sewage pipes.

● Use of outdated equipment by the contractor for digging and filling for such works.

● Shoddy work by contractor and poor workmanship with focus only on making profits.

● Lack of transparency and the Chalta hai attitude by authorities and citizens also to blame.

1. Contractor should use the latest technology equipment for digging and laying pipes.

2. Ensure transparency by displaying the nature of work, time required, officials’ phone number for grievances, involve local residents by including them in the monitoring committee, regular site visits by officials and compulsory interaction with residents at least once a week.

3. Heavy penalty to anyone digging without authorisation or leaving dug-up areas unattended.

4. More deliberate city planning, plotting and construction to be allowed only after completion of civil works in the area such as laying water, sewage and other pipelines.

5. Making contractors and officials accountable and penalising them in case of defaults.

Vinod Mehta*