PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Just as the monsoon has started reaching its peak, several roads, repaired by the Public Works Department (PWD) barely a month ago, have already developed large potholes in Dehradun.
The damaged stretches have become difficult to navigate, with loose gravel, broken bitumen and water-filled potholes posing a risk to motorists and two-wheeler riders.
Residents alleged in unison that although the roads had been repaired in late June as part of the department’s pre-monsoon exercise, they failed to withstand even the initial rain spells. Many said that this has become a recurring problem, with roads being repaired every year only to deteriorate soon after the monsoon arrives.
Articulating strong annoyance, a resident, Sourav Verma said that the condition of the road raises serious questions about the quality of the work. “The road was repaired at the end of June, but it did not even last a month. After just one spell of rain, large potholes appeared and the gravel started coming out. It feels like public money is being wantonly wasted because the same roads have to be repaired again and again,” he said.
A PWD contractor, Naman said that poor work could be one of the reasons behind the early damage. He explained that if the required thickness of the road layer is not maintained or if the surface is not cleaned properly before laying bitumen, the material does not bond effectively. “The layer should ideally be four to five inches thick, but in some places it appears much thinner. If the bitumen does not bind properly with the stones, rainwater seeps into the surface and the road starts breaking up. Dust or loose particles left on the road before resurfacing can also weaken the bonding,” he said.
When contacted, the PWD officials explained that the work carried out before the monsoon was only a temporary patch repair exercise intended to make roads motorable during the rainy season. They said that permanent repairs would be undertaken after the monsoon ends.
However, mocking the claim, the aggrieved residents wondered why temporary repairs are done if they break in the first rain. They urged the department to take serious note of the public inconveniences and build strong, high-quality roads that endure through the monsoon so they do not require frequent repairs.
