Damaged road in Doraha fails to move NHAI, rue residents

The service lanes of Doraha, especially Rajwant Road, is in bad state due to the pathetic attitude of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Potholes, ditches and depressions have made commuting hazardous, forcing residents to risk their lives. The NHAI’s lack of attention to road repairs has exacerbated the situation all the more.

Rajwant Road is in a terrible state as it has developed deep potholes, making it hazardous for commuters. “The issue is not recent in any way. The NHAI has never bothered to assess, repair or make amends at any stage. The authorities allow the situation to go worse and then spring into action. But this time, even the worst too has least affected the concerned. Every time the contractor is contacted, he gives excuses for not initiating the repairs. Our question is that was he sleeping when the situation was turning from bad to worse?” rued Jandeep Kaushal, a social worker of the area.

The road had caved in on Rajwant stretch during incessant rains a few months ago and the commuters faced great difficulty in commuting. Now, if the caved-in road has been temporarily repaired, residents still face the peril of accidents and injuries due to the poor condition of the road.

“The NHAI has reduced our lives to hell. In the process of six laning, our single service lane has ceased to be of any service to residents and commuters. Extracting crores in the form of toll and delivering bad roads in return has become the order of the day. We wonder as to why the NHAI is not held liable on this account. A resident has to pass through the service lane not once, but multiple times. Imagine the condition of our body and that of our vehicles. By shelling out thousands, we return home with pain and damaged vehicles,” was the reply of Joginder Kirti, a resident of Doraha.

Gurman Jaggi, another resident, shared, “Those concerned should undertake filling of potholes and repairing the damaged areas at the earliest to ensure safe passage. Also, effective water drainage system to prevent water accumulation and road damage is required. The NHAI should prioritise regular inspections, maintenance and repairs to prevent such situations.”

NHAI site engineer Sandeep could not be contacted despite repeated calls. Another official, who did not wish to be named, said that the repairs should be initiated at the earliest. “As the things have normalised, we shall be repairing the service lane at the earliest,” the official added.