The onset of the monsoon has wreaked havoc on Delhi’s major roadways, with extensive potholes and road damage reported across key stretches. Areas including Ring Road, Outer Ring Road, ITO, Vikas Marg, Mathura Road, and Mahatma Gandhi Marg have all suffered from significant infrastructure deterioration.
The rains have not only caused surface damage but have also led to cave-ins and severe disruptions. For instance, Shani Bazar Bandh Road in Sangam Vihar experienced substantial cave-ins in early July, resulting in accidents and the entrapment of vehicles such as tractors and water tankers. Similarly, a significant portion of the Mehrauli-Badarpur Road near Saket Metro station collapsed on June 26, causing major traffic snarls. Despite the severity of these issues, residents report that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has failed to address the necessary repairs. “The condition of internal roads and arterial routes remains dire,” noted Chetan Sharma, general secretary of the Confederation of RWAs. He highlighted particularly problematic stretches like the road from B Block in CR Park to Outer Ring Road, where road maintenance has been conspicuously lacking.
In other areas such as Vasant Kunj, Greater Kailash, and Defence Colony, residents have expressed frustration over the lack of repair efforts. The Public Works Department (PWD) and MCD have acknowledged the backlog of complaints but attribute the delay in repairs to the ongoing monsoon. A PWD official explained that effective patchwork repairs are challenging during continuous rainfall, prompting a wait for drier conditions before addressing the damage. In addition, clogged drains have compounded the issue of waterlogging, especially in Kalkaji. “The drains have remained uncleaned, leading to significant waterlogging and subsequent road damage,” said chief coordinator of the Nehru Place Market Association.
The situation has been exacerbated by ongoing construction activities, such as the deconcretisation of pavements in southeast Delhi, which has led to further waterlogging and pothole formation. Areas like ITO and the Walled City are struggling with severe waterlogging issues, while new road constructions, such as those in Qutub Vihar, have also encountered premature damage. Experts suggest that while unprecedented rains have contributed to the problem, better road-laying techniques and improved drainage maintenance could mitigate such issues. The chief scientist at the Central Road Research Institute, advocates for the use of cold mix technology for pothole repairs, which could offer a more immediate solution post-rainfall. As Delhi braces for the remainder of the monsoon season, the urgent need for effective road maintenance and timely repairs becomes increasingly evident.
