road conditionPothole-riddled roads, damaged ROBs and flyovers and poor road surfaces are compounding commuters’ woes in Prayagraj, with several city stretches in such bad shape that mishaps appear inevitable. The poor condition of the roads is also taking a toll on vehicles, with residents reporting frequent damage to suspensions, axles, wheels and tyres. Around 245 roads have been identified for repair and pothole-filling, but work is yet to begin on most stretches.The condition of several roads, including Stanley Road, CMP Road, Old Katra, Alopibagh, Rambagh, Chaufatka, Rajapur Trisection, Chota Baghada, Civil Lines and adjoining areas, is so bad that a mishap seems inevitable.After incessant rains and subsequent high-profile meetings to take up patchwork, the poor condition of ROBs and flyovers has compounded the woes of commuters. While top administrative officials had cautioned officials of the PWD, PMC and other departments to ensure quality work and warned that complaints of irregularities would be dealt with severely, the concerned development agencies are yet to initiate measures in the city.Civil Lines resident Sandeep Bhargava told TOI that the majority of city streets are in the worst condition and driving has become next to impossible on these stretches. “The widened roads meant for commuting are in bad shape and there is no sign of repair or patchwork till now,” he said.“If you start your journey to Mankameshwar temple from Civil Lines via CMP double-decker bridge, there are uncounted potholes you have to cross,” said Anjali, a city-based businesswoman. “Despite acknowledging these facts, no administrative official is bothered to take corrective measures,” she added.The startling fact was that over 40% of vehicles, particularly luxury cars and other SUVs, develop snags regularly due to crater- and pothole-filled roads. Every month, hundreds of new vehicles hit the streets, but these too are not spared from the fast deterioration caused by poor road conditions. The poor condition of tabletop crossings also causes damage to vehicle suspensions.The cost of repairing such damage in most cases for SUVs and other expensive cars ranges from Rs 5,000 to Rs 15,000, and the expenses are not covered under insurance policies.“Insurance can be claimed only when cars suffer damage in accidents. The cost of repairing luxury vehicles is spiralling, but the damage caused by poor roads cannot be insured,” said the owner of an automobile garage in Civil Lines. “Despite holding insurance policies, car owners have to shell out money for repairs.”Apart from suspensions, ravaged roads wreak havoc on different car parts, especially axles, wheels and tyres. “The car’s alignment system suffers due to bad roads and it costs considerably to repair the cars even if the damage is minor,” said Anupam Dwivedi, a luxury car owner who had to get his vehicle repaired.The municipal corporation has identified around 96 km of roads for repair and pothole-filling, for which a tender worth around Rs 6 crore has already been completed. The PDA has identified 38 roads, including those covered under the defect liability period. The concerned agencies have already been asked to repair such roads, but all in vain. The PWD has identified around 111 roads for similar work.Officials claim repair work would begin once the rain stops. Senior administrative officials have also directed departments to prepare a coordinated plan for repairing roads leading into the city and major national highways.
