As the monsoon season approaches, residents of Patna are expressing growing concerns over the delayed repair of major city roads.
Despite clear directives from the Road Construction Department (RCD) to complete repairs by May 30, several key roads remain in a state of disrepair, with open trenches, construction debris, and waterlogging posing significant challenges for commuters. Areas such as Boring Road, Ashok Rajpath, and Kankarbagh have been particularly affected. Residents report hazardous conditions due to haphazardly filled trenches and flooded lanes, leading to traffic disruptions and safety concerns. “The road remains dug up for weeks and left open without any barricading,” said Abhishek Singh, a resident of Mahavir Colony. “Commuters have limited options to bypass roads under repair, resulting in heavy traffic and extended travel time.”
The delays are attributed to ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Namami Gange sewerage network and the construction of the double-decker flyover. While the RCD has assured that repairs for roads handed over by May 20 are nearly complete, Minister Nitin Nabin acknowledged that some stretches, such as near AN College and Ashok Rajpath, are still incomplete. A no-digging directive is now in place to prevent further disruption during the monsoon. In response to the growing concerns, the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) is launching a “manhole ambulance” service to address the city’s ongoing issue of broken and open manholes. These mobile units will be equipped with skilled workers, pre-fabricated manhole covers, and necessary repair tools to provide on-site solutions. The operations will be managed through a control room that dispatches ambulances in response to public complaints, which can be made by calling the toll-free number 155304. Each of Patna’s six zones will have a dedicated vehicle, ensuring complaints are resolved within 48 hours.
Despite these efforts, residents remain apprehensive about the city’s preparedness for the upcoming monsoon season. “A brief spell of rain in April flooded all the roads in the locality, and it was tough for people to locate manholes and dug-up roads,” said S Rahmani, a resident of Ramkrishna Nagar. “The locality becomes very risky during the monsoon. The civic body should take measures to improve the situation before it is too late.” The PMC has identified 119 waterlogging-prone areas in the city and has chalked out plans to drain out rainwater from these areas during the monsoon. However, with ongoing construction works and incomplete repairs, residents fear that the situation may worsen, leading to severe waterlogging and traffic chaos.
As the monsoon season approaches, the residents of Patna are urging the authorities to expedite the repair works and ensure that the city’s infrastructure is prepared to handle the challenges posed by the rainy season. The timely completion of road repairs and effective drainage management will be crucial in preventing waterlogging and ensuring the safety and convenience of commuters during the monsoon
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