After the recent rainfall in the city, some of the roads which have potholes are now in bad shape and it has left the roads no less than a nightmare to commute across the length and breadth of the Capital. The road across Greater Kailash-II leading to Masjid Moth is covered with potholes. Moreover the lane leading to BRT corridor right under the Chirag Dilli flyover had a huge pothole, which was fixed by civic authorities.
But the recent rain washed away the recently-filled holes. The marginal Pusta Road connecting old Iron Bridge to Khajuri Chowk, are in a pathetic state. Similarly, road connecting Kashmere Gate and Mori Gate are in bad shape and needs urgent repair. While the municipal authorities and Public Works Department (PWD) has claimed to ‘fill the gaps’ and make roads smoother, the repair work is merely eyewash.
A senior Delhi Government official said on condition of anonymity that AAP Government has no focus on infrastructure and they are focusing on social sector. “The poor condition of roads is a major issue in Delhi and no repair work is being done by this Government,” said official. Officials in North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NMC) have said that due checks and plans are being made to repair the damaged roads. “No one comes and conducts a check on the condition of roads, no matter what the conditions are. During rain, potholes cave in further and thus, it becomes difficult to ensure smoother movement of traffic. We are sure the contractors use substandard quality material to fill the potholes,” said a shopkeeper of a furniture market near lNJP Hospital.
Moreover, North municipal corporation officials said that previously the contractors filled the potholes only in the middle of roads, leaving aside the sideways and footpaths. After several rounds of complaints, the contractor carpeted the side areas. The road of CR Park pocket 40 behind Deshbandhu College still remains in a pathetic state despite rounds of complaints to RWA and other civic authorities.
Every year, the trouble of potholes recurs during monsoons and the problem is not new to the Capital. While the local authorities have claimed that they have spent crores on making roads pothole-free, traveling across the length and breadth of the city remains a bumpy ride for Delhiites.