Chandigarh Allocates ₹50 Lakh For Rain-Hit Road Repairs Across City
Following widespread damage to roads during the first monsoon showers, the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation has floated a ₹50 lakh tender for urgent repairs across the city. The rains caused several cave-ins and potholes in both urban and peripheral zones, including Dadumajra, Maloya, and key roundabouts. With over 15 major locations identified in a recent civic survey, concerns are rising over whether the sanctioned amount will suffice to restore road safety and functionality.
The monsoon’s first downpour left Chandigarh’s road infrastructure battered, exposing vulnerabilities in drainage and road resilience. A significant portion of the road from Dadumajra to Maloya caved in, while critical junctions such as Sector 47/48 and Sector 31/47 roundabout reported severe surface damage. Similar deterioration was found in Sector 14/15, highlighting the broader extent of weather-induced degradation. Peripheral areas such as Manimajra and city villages were also affected, with potholes rendering several stretches risky for commuters. A detailed survey by civic officials confirmed damage at over 15 locations across the city. In response, the municipal body floated a ₹50 lakh tender to undertake quick repairs. However, experts and civic observers question the adequacy of the allocation, given the widespread structural damage. They point out that low-cost patchwork may compromise long-term durability, and stress the need for more robust resurfacing backed by higher funding and technical oversight.
Civic engineers say the ₹50 lakh estimate was based on preliminary assessments, targeting immediate patching, pothole filling, and temporary resurfacing at affected sites. However, given the complexity of repairs in rain-affected zones—particularly where road foundations have weakened—authorities may face challenges completing repairs within this modest budget. Residents and urban planning experts have raised concerns that the cost will likely fall short of ensuring durable road quality. Road safety advocates warn that short-term fixes without proper milling or drainage correction could lead to recurrent failures in subsequent rains. They also argue for integrating preventive measures into roadwork planning, such as improved stormwater channels and higher-quality asphalt mixtures. With traffic density high across many affected sectors, timely yet effective repairs are critical to avoid accidents and traffic snarls. The Corporation is now under pressure to review its repair strategy and prioritise quality alongside urgency in its post-monsoon recovery roadmap.
Chandigarh’s ₹50 lakh road repair tender reflects a swift administrative response to rain-induced damage, but concerns over its sufficiency and scope persist. As city roads reel under the weight of recurring cave-ins and potholes, experts emphasise the need for sustainable engineering solutions rather than patchwork fixes. With more rain forecast and urban mobility already compromised, the quality and execution of repairs will be closely watched. Residents and planning observers alike call for better coordination, long-term budgeting, and structural resilience in civic planning. Whether this funding marks the beginning of genuine improvement or a temporary measure remains to be seen.
