The dream of pit-free roads is broken. Poor roads do not only cause traffic barriers but also making people sick. Potholes on the highway and other normal roads not only leads to bike and car accidents but also giving birth to many medical problems in

people like slip disk, lumbar disk, neck and back pain,

spinal pain, cervical spondylitis.

According to experts, 60 percent of the patients are suffering from these problems. 20 to 25 percent suffering from slip disk (back pain), and the same number of patients from cervical.

 It is a matter of great concern that in case of injury or problem due to the accident, the patients never even get legal help or a claim or penalty from the responsible working department.

 This is the reason of the increased carelessness of working departments and the problems of people.

According to Dr. Deepak Shah, senior orthopedic surgeon, Shah Hospital, the Government is not bothered about the bad roads.

From past years, the number of waist and neck patients have increased manifolds due to bad roads. Potholes have shaken the whole-body results in jerking the neck and waist.

Sometimes because of serious slip disk problems patients undergo an operation.

The disk is a liquid in the middle of the spinal cord which leaks out during travel on a bumpy road and crushes the spinal cord. Paralysis can also occur in the legs if fractured due to a pothole.

According to R.K Misra, Superintending Engineer, PWD, rainwater is the main source of potholes on the roads which cannot be filled immediately because the wet road does not hold tar-coal.

Yes, there are large pits in some places which will be repaired soon after the rain has stopped.

Rajeev Gupta a salesman from Surendra nager said that he drives bike 40-50 Kms daily. Several months ago, neck pain started along with dizziness. On consultation, the doctor diagnosed a cervical. Undergone physiotherapy with medicine for about a month.

Another youth Ramu  told that six months ago he suffered from a lower back pain. On consultation, the doctor diagnosed a slip disk. The main reason is the bad condition of the roads which causes jerk on bike

                Dr Deepak further said.   Drivers should take these precautions

•             Drive slowly on bad roads and avoid sudden brakes

•             Injured drivers should wear a long sacroilius belt or cervical collar

•             Keep extra cushion behind the back while sitting in the car

•             Seatbelt must be used, two-wheeler driver must wear helmet

Increased risk of cervical spondylitis

Prashank, a physiotherapist said that driving on potholed roads causes a severe jerk to the driver, which can lead to not only slip discs but also cervical spondylitis. Delay in treatment of cervical spondylitis can cause problems such as numbness and dizziness. It may even cause plumber disc bulge and head pain also. All such people are getting physiotherapy along with treatment.

In 2016, reported accidents were 740, 426 deaths and 685 injured. Similarly, 2017 reports 451 fatalities and 702 injured along with 839 accidents. In 2018, total accidents count to 839, 466 deaths and 817 injured. 2019 sees total of 929 accidents, 530 deaths and 928 injured. In 2020, total of 369 accidents reported with 234 deaths and 389 injured.

Accidents in the last eight months (as per police and transport department record upto 31-Aug-2020)

In Jan, reported accidents were 84, 44 deaths and 91 injured. Similarly, Feb reports 52 fatalities and 99 injured along with 91 accidents. In March, total accidents count to 81, 47 deaths and 84 injured. April sees total of 23 accidents, 18 deaths and 16 injured. In May, total of 51 accidents reported with 33 deaths and 48 injured. June reported 83 accidents, 49 deaths and 71 injured. July sees 48 accidents, 57 deaths and 39 injured and in Aug there were 71 accidents with 49 deaths and 77 injured.