PIONEER NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Many residents have expressed concern over water-filled potholes during the monsoon season in the Dehradun district. They claimed that the potholes this season have become a threat in terms of accidents and other issues, as they are often filled with rainwater, rendering it hard to gauge their dimensions which increases the risk of road accidents. The authorities must take action to repair these potholes before the monsoon season each year.
It will be recalled that chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered more than once that all roads in the State should be free of potholes. However, this has not been accomplished yet by the authorities concerned. Additionally, Dhami previously launched a patch reporting app aimed at addressing potholes; despite this initiative, potholes in the Dehradun district remain a significant concern.
Local resident Vinny Saini reported noticing potholes in various locations, stating that the issue has become particularly serious this monsoon season. The potholes, often hidden beneath water, pose significant dangers. Saini shared her experience from a few days ago when her vehicle lost balance due to an unseen pothole, leading her to believe that these submerged potholes are a major contributor to accidents. She urged authorities to take action and ensure that potholes are repaired before the onset of each monsoon season.
“Accidents, traffic disruptions, and vehicle damage have all been attributed to potholes, which have become even more dangerous during the monsoon,” said another local Hrithik Kumar. He said that the potholes across the district should be repaired now and authorities should initiate a drive to fix them each year before the monsoon season begins; otherwise, the number of road accidents and related incidents will only increase.
Many other residents have shared similar concerns regarding the potholes. Some automobile owners have noted a rise in the demand for vehicle repairs during the monsoon season. Siddhant, who is an automobile owner, said that he has observed an increase in vehicle repairs due to potholes in the city. The presence of these potholes has been affecting the brakes, shockers and other damages in the vehicles. This trend is not new; the frequency of required repairs tends to rise each monsoon season due to unaddressed potholes, he said.
