DC’s deadline ends, but key roads in Panchkula still await repairs

Even as multiple departments swung into action to meet Deputy Commissioner (DC) Satpal Sharma’s three-day deadline for pothole repairs, city residents have pointed out that several crucial stretches, including Agarsen Chowk, Majri Chowk, and the internal roads of Sectors 20 and 21, continue to remain in a neglected state. The deadline ended today.

While the Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority (PMDA), Haryana State Industrial & Infrastructure Development Corporation(HSIIDC) moved swiftly to repair stretches under their jurisdiction, the Municipal Corporation (MC) Panchkula has been accused of lagging behind, with potholes on several internal roads still posing risks to commuters.

Vinay Vohra, a lawyer who has an office in Sector 5 said, “The entire sector is like an orphan. Home owners are forced to pay property tax to Municipal Corporation but it says the sector is under Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) jurisdiction.”

“They do not provide any services so why should we pay a tax? Why should Sector 5 people pay property tax to MC if nothing is to be done by them?” he further questioned.

Residents, however, commended the Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority’s (PMDA) prompt response. “Found potholes, 18–7 dividing road towards Sectors 7 side, and reported on Sunday, September 14 around 2.30 pm. The repair work was initiated the same day,” wrote a Panchkula resident.

Mohit Gupta, founder of a civic issues group, shared, “For the first time, we are actually seeing complaints being sorted out at such a rapid rate. Kudos to the PMDA and the entire team for doing a great job. Panchkula really needed something like this.”

Despite these positive interventions, many believe that the MC’s slow pace undermines the broader effort.