Commuters traveling through the Delhi Cantonment area have been facing significant hardship for the past several days due to a road collapse on Kotwali Road, specifically on the route connecting Gopinath Gol Circle to the Cantonment Hospital. The damage has been attributed to the subsidence of an underlying sewer line.
Traffic Chaos And Safety Concerns
This stretch is a critical route used by thousands of commuters daily. The collapse has resulted in severe traffic congestion, particularly during peak morning and evening hours. Beyond the delays, the damaged section poses a serious safety hazard. Residents have expressed fear that the collapsed portion of the road could lead to a major accident or loss of life at any time. They have demanded that repair and reconstruction work be prioritised immediately to ensure safe and smooth traffic flow.
Jurisdictional Deadlock Delays Repairs
Despite the urgent need for restoration, no repair work has commenced. Residents explain that a jurisdictional overlap is causing the delay. While the roads in the area fall under the administration of the Cantonment Board, the main sewer line—identified as the "central line"—is under the management of the Military Engineering Service (MES). The Cantonment Board is unable to carry out repairs on this specific issue without the permission and cooperation of the MES, and coordination between the two bodies has notably been lacking.
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Official Statement
Rajesh Goyal, a member of the Delhi Cantonment Board, acknowledged the gravity of the situation and confirmed that the delay is procedural.
"We are all aware of the problem. If the Cantonment Board had the authority to repair this road or the sewer line, the work would have been completed. However, the matter is related to the Military Engineering Service. I have spoken to the Station Commander about this and have urged him to speak with the Military Engineering personnel to resolve this problem." said Rajesh Goyal.
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