Chandigarh: It hasn’t even rained too long or too heavily. It’s just as much as one would expect every year but already, roads have taken a beating. Major stretches are riddled with potholes, posing a serious risk to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.Residents have reported crater-like potholes on key roads in Dhanas, industrial areas, dividing roads of sectors 44-45, 26-27 and 42 and sides of several internal roads where the rain has washed away the road surface.Commuters say the problem has resurfaced despite annual pre-monsoon road maintenance undertaken by the Chandigarh administration and municipal corporation.One of the worst-affected stretches is the Dhanas road, where waterlogging conceals deep potholes, forcing motorists to slow down abruptly or swerve into adjoining lanes. The road receives heavy traffic, including buses, school vehicles and commercial transport, increasing the risk of accidents.The dividing road between Sectors 44 and 45 has also developed multiple potholes, making daily commuting difficult. Similar complaints have emerged from roads separating sectors 26 and 27 and in Sector 42, where damaged roads have become hazardous after the rain.“Potholes are not visible once they fill with rainwater. Every time it rains, we have to guess where the road ends and where the pothole begins. Two-wheelers are especially vulnerable, and it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured,” said Rajesh Sharma, a resident of Sector 44.Residents of Dhanas said the road has deteriorated rapidly after the first spell of rain. “The condition is pathetic. Vehicles slow down to a crawl, traffic piles up during peak hours and there is always a fear of skidding,” said Sunita Devi, who travels daily to the city for work.A Sector 27 resident, Amit Verma, said motorists often veer into the opposite lane to avoid damaged patches. “That creates another danger. People trying to dodge potholes end up coming dangerously close to oncoming traffic.”In Sector 42, residents complained that repeated patchwork has failed to provide a lasting solution. “The same potholes are repaired every year, only to reappear after the first heavy rain. The administration needs permanent resurfacing instead of temporary fixes,” said Gurpreet Singh, a local resident.Deteriorating road conditions have also affected cyclists and pedestrians, particularly in the morning and evening, when visibility is poor. Delivery personnel and auto-rickshaw drivers said navigating water-filled potholes has become increasingly difficult.Residents alleged that while patch repairs are carried out before the monsoon, many stretches fail to withstand even the first spell of heavy rain, raising questions over the quality of road construction and maintenance.Residents have urged the Chandigarh administration to launch an immediate city-wide survey to identify damaged stretches and undertake permanent repairs before the peak monsoon period. They have also demanded better drainage to prevent water accumulation, which accelerates road damage and hides potholes from unsuspecting motorists.Officials in the engineering department said complaints received through various channels are being monitored and repair work will be taken up as weather conditions permit, as bituminous road repairs cannot be effectively carried out during continuous rainfall.BOX 1: Key Roads Turn HazardousDeep potholes reported on Dhanas road, Industrial Area roads and sector-dividing roads of 44-45, 26-27 and Sector 42Rainwater has concealed damaged patches, making roads unsafeTraffic slows to a crawl on affected stretches, leading to congestionResidents allege pre-monsoon repairs failed to withstand the first spell of rainCitizens seek immediate identification and permanent repair of damaged roadsBOX 2: Risks for MotoristsWater-filled potholes make it difficult to assess road conditionsTwo-wheeler riders most vulnerable to skidding and losing balanceMotorists often swerve suddenly to avoid potholes, increasing accident riskVehicles face potential damage to tyres, suspension and alignmentCyclists, pedestrians, delivery workers and auto-rickshaw drivers also exposed to dangerResidents demand better drainage to prevent waterlogging and hidden road hazards during monsoon season
