- By Akansha Pandey
- Thu, 18 Sep 2025 01:06 PM (IST)
- Source:Jagran News Network
The monsoon rains have passed, but the repair work is still a distant promise. After all, how can the roads be fixed now? First, the ground must dry, which will take its own time. Then, a tender will be issued, approvals will be sought, and only then will the work begin. Is it a road filled with potholes, or a collection of potholes loosely connected by asphalt? For the residents of Noida and the wider NCR, this predictable cycle of neglect means navigating a treacherous obstacle course for nearly half the year. This persistent neglect not only disrupts traffic and causes accidents but also raises serious questions about official accountability.
The roads in the nation's capital and its surrounding region should be well-maintained, clean, and safe. However, the reality is far different, particularly on the inner roads of many NCR cities, which remain in a poor state year-round. A major obstacle to timely repairs is the jurisdictional disputes among various agencies, which allows officials to evade responsibility. When a road is not fixed, no one's accountability is established, leaving citizens to bear the consequences.
A Call For Durable Solutions And Proactive Maintenance
The primary culprit behind road damage is chronic waterlogging. Across the NCR, efforts to clean drains or expand their capacity are inadequate, and the sewer systems are overwhelmed. This constant water accumulation is devastating for traditional asphalt roads.
A viable solution can be found in Mumbai's approach: building concrete roads in areas prone to waterlogging or high vehicle pressure. While Mumbai still faces waterlogging, its concrete roads do not break under the strain. Adopting this model in Delhi-NCR would not only create more durable infrastructure but also help eliminate the annual cycle of repair tenders, which the public often views as a "game of commissions" designed for corruption.
Furthermore, maintenance must become proactive rather than reactive. Drains should be cleaned thoroughly three times a year, not just as a last-minute formality during the monsoon. Sewer lines require constant attention to prevent overflows. Government agencies should also create dedicated patchwork teams to patrol roads at night and fill potholes as soon as they appear, preventing them from becoming larger, more dangerous hazards.
The Role Of Public Responsibility
While administrative failures are significant, the public also has a role to play. Some individuals illegally dig up roads for personal work and fail to repair them, causing gradual degradation. Many residents also allow water to flow from their homes onto the streets, which destroys asphalt surfaces. Additionally, the dumping of trash in polythene bags into sewer lines is a major cause of blockages and overflows. True and lasting improvement will only come when everyone—from officials to citizens—takes ownership of their city and acts with responsibility.
An Expert's Perspective On Monitoring And Proactivity
According to Anil Pandit, a former official with the Delhi Public Works Department (PWD), while Delhi's roads may be better than those in other states, they fall short of the standard expected for a national capital. He points out a stark difference in quality between the well-drained, flat areas managed by the NDMC and other parts of the city that suffer from severe waterlogging.
"Water is the enemy of the bitumen used on roads," Pandit explains. "When water accumulates, the road's strength is compromised, causing it to deteriorate." He recalls a time when PWD engineers were highly proactive, patrolling streets with umbrellas during the rains, ready to deploy water pumps to drain flooded areas quickly and minimise damage. "Proactivity and monitoring are very important," he insists. "When senior officials are on the roads, junior staff are more diligent. That level of active management seems to be missing in many places now."