More funds allocated but roads stay bumpy

Ludhiana: Even as the MC authorities keep a sizeable amount for the construction and maintenance of city roads in the annual budget every year, they fail to resolve the complaints of residents about potholed roads and bumpy rides in the city throughout the year.

This year too, Ludhiana municipal corporation has increased the amount by Rs 30 crore for road works in the budget for the coming financial year, but the residents are skeptical about the improvement in the condition of the roads.

They also said the contractors should be made accountable in case the roads are damaged time and again due to the use of poor quality of material. On the other hand, officials claim that funds are not enough as per requirement. Even when the roads are repaired, locals cause damage by digging roads for one reason or the other.

The residents also blamed poor quality of material being used at the time of road construction.

“There is need to construct cemented roads instead of bitumen roads especially in areas where there is more traffic. Moreover, the authorities should go for quality control,” said Kavita Kaushal, a schoolteacher.

A businessman, Harjinder Singh said every year more funds are allocated for the construction of roads but these funds are not being spent judiciously. “In some areas, the authorities do not construct roads even for two three years, while in others areas, roads are constructed after every six months,” he added.

He said there should be some clause in the MC contract with contractors that if roads get damaged before fixed time, they should repair the roads at their own expenses.

In the year 2017-18, the authorities had spent Rs 64.8 crore only on road works. Similarly, in 2018-19, the MC had kept Rs 70 crore for the new roads and repair works, but they claimed to have spent at least Rs 80 crore on these works. This time, the budget for road works is fixed at Rs 100 crore.

H S Bhullar, superintending engineer of bridges and road department, said, “There are 95 wards in city and Rs 100 crore will distributed in these wards equally. Above all, the city lacks storm sewerage due to which the roads get damaged during rainy season.”

He also blamed residents for damaging roads by washing cars or digging the same for lay water and sewerage pipes.