Potholed Nagla stretch nightmare for motorists

Our Correspondent

Zirakpur, July 18

Recent showers have increased problems of commuters in the city. Threat of accidents looms large as rain has damaged roads in the area.

Rain has left pools and puddles of water and an endless row of potholes on roads, which points towards damage to the city’s infrastructure.

As if waterlogging is not enough, commuters are braving another menace on rain ravaged potholed roads. Large craters coupled with rough patches not only disrupt traffic, but also pose a danger to motorists in the town.

Tall claims of the Zirakpur Municipal Council (MC) of providing proper roads seem to have fallen flat as deep potholes on an approach road leading to some villages in Singhpura have become a cause of worry for commuters and nearby residents.

The approach road from the Singhpura light point connects several villages, residential societies and old Ambala Road.

The condition of the road has gone from bad to worse after recent rains as the stretch has turned into a virtual pool. It has become a Herculean task for commuters to cross the road. Motorists, especially two-wheeler riders, are seen driving carefully on the road to avoid skidding. Non-functional streetlights make driving almost impossible during night.

Recently re-carpeted Nagla road is getting damaged at several places due to accumulation of rainwater as there is no provision to drain water. After a brief spell, water remains on the road for several days, which hints at the poor quality work carried out by the authorities concerned. A large number of motorists use the road every day. Potholes have also appeared on some portions of the road, which is yet to be re-carpeted.

Two-wheelers riders and drivers of four-wheelers are always at risk while commuting on the stretch teeming with more than one inch deep potholes. Residents rued that some portion of the road had not been re-carpeted for the past several months.

Alleging official apathy residents said, “Whenever it rains the situation becomes precarious as water accumulates on the road. It becomes difficult to commute due to sludge and deep potholes, which are difficult to locate, after rain.”

Commuters say deep potholes make driving difficult and also increase wear and tear of their vehicles.

The condition of other roads in the town is also not different. A road near Paras Down Town Mall has also developed deep potholes making matters worse for commuters.

Officials of the Municipal Council said re-carpeting work on roads would begin after the monsoon.