Who will ensure upkeep of Ludhiana’s roads? Civic body’s repair works fail to bear fruit

Bumpy roads welcome you to the city. Though a smart city, the poor and dilapidated condition of the roads in Ludhiana pose a serious threat to motorists and pedestrians.

The condition of the roads gets worse during the rainy season as potholes develop after rainfall, which makes it difficult for motorists, especially two-wheeler riders, to commute. The Municipal Corporation initiates repair works after the monsoon season but the road layer starts coming off soon.

The corporation had invested Rs 3.86 crore and procured two pothole-patching machines that use an infra-red recycling technology to fix potholes but due to the time-consuming procedure, the machines were not used frequently.

A part of Dhandra Road, which caved in during the rainy season, was recarpeted. But it caved in again. The condition of the road is miserable and can result in mishaps.

“A huge portion of Dhandra Road caved in and repair work was carried out. Now again, it is in a poor state. Who will be responsible if somebody meets with an accident. The authorities should not adopt a callous attitude towards roads,” said Raman, a city resident.

The road at Feroze Gandhi Market has developed potholes, which has led to water stagnation. The market is one of the major commercial hubs of the city but the main road leading to the area is in a deplorable state. A stock exchange and bank hub is located on the road and numerous vehicles pass through the stretch throughout the day.

Shveta, who came to visit a bank in the market, said the condition of roads around Feroze Gandhi Market was pathetic.

“All major banks are located here and customers in large numbers visit the place every day. The roads should be in a good condition as the stock exchange is also located in the market,” she said.

One brief spell of rainfall results in clogging of drains of the market, which is located in the heart of the city. The market area is located near the Mini-Secretariat and district courts.

The poor condition of roads in some parts of Chandar Nagar and Haibowal after the monsoon season has also been inconveniencing commuters.

“It is the same story every year. Roads are broken after the rainy season and the MC carries out the repair works and again the next year, these get damaged. The roads should be built in such a way that they do not wear out for at least five years,” said Jatinder, a resident of Haibowal.

Roads in Kartar Avenue are also in a bad condition. “The situation is bad and it really becomes difficult to commute on roads at night as one fails to navigate potholes,” said a resident of Kartar Nagar.

“Ludhiana has received moderate rainfall this year and it has exposed the work of the Municipal Corporation. One rain and the road washes away,” said Rohit Aggarwal, a resident of Haibowal Kalan.

MC Additional Commissioner Paramdeep Singh said many new projects for the recarpeting and repair works of roads were being carried out after the end of the rainy season.

“Dhandra Road is located outside the MC limits and the work at Feroze Gandhi Market will start in a few days,” he said.

Ludhiana East MLA Daljeet Singh Grewal said works had already started and recarpeting and new construction of roads had started on a large scale.

“Pothole-patching machines are also being used and these will deliver best results. Road repairing works are going on in full swing these days,” he said.