PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE / Dehradun
With monsoon expected to arrive soon, the Doon residents are concerned over gaping potholes, dug-up roads and poor restoration work in several parts of the city. People fear that heavy rainfall could lead to waterlogging, traffic jams and accidents if the damaged stretches are not repaired in time.
Several roads in areas such as Dharampur, GMS Road, Sewla Kalan, Saharanpur Road, Ballupur, Premnagar, Turner Road and parts of Rajpur Road remain dug up or riddled with potholes. Furthermore, in many places, loose gravel, mud and construction debris are still being seen lying on roadsides after pipeline laying and civic works are supposed to have been completed.
Residents of Dharampur said that a road in the area was dug up nearly a month ago, but proper repair work has still not been completed. Saurabh Kumar, a resident, said that the situation is likely to worsen once rains begin. “The road was dug up a month ago and no proper restoration has happened yet. It is already narrow and now traffic movement has become even more difficult because digging has taken place on both sides,” he said.
Another resident who owns a shop, Vineet Joshi said that the damaged roads are also affecting local businesses aside from creating parking problems. “There are potholes and loose soil everywhere. This area is likely to face waterlogging in monsoon and right now the passing vehicles throw heavy dust because debris remains piled on the road,” he said.
He added that while development and pipeline laying work are necessary, roads should be repaired properly after the work is completed. “Authorities dig up roads for projects, but then the roads remain damaged. It is the public who ultimately suffer,” he said.
Residents from several other localities also complained that roads, temporarily repaired after digging works, have again started sinking or developing potholes before the monsoon season. Many fear that once heavy rain begins, damaged stretches could become more dangerous for commuters, especially two-wheeler riders.
Told about the people’s road-digging ordeals, the mayor Saurabh Thapliyal said that the Municipal Corporation has started preparations ahead of the monsoon season and repair work on damaged roads will be carried out in phases. “Officials have been directed to identify badly damaged stretches and complete restoration work at the earliest to reduce waterlogging, traffic congestion and accidents during the rainy season,” he added.
