Jaipur Roads Collapse Amid Monsoon, Raising Doubts Over Smart City Dreams
As monsoon rains pummel Jaipur, the city’s Smart City ambitions are sinking under flooded roads, deep potholes, and incomplete infrastructure works. From posh neighbourhoods to densely populated colonies, civic neglect is turning routine commutes into hazardous journeys. A lack of coordination among public departments has left several areas with dug-up roads, unfinished drainage lines, and collapsed stretches — sparking public anger over the city’s crumbling infrastructure and raising questions about the real progress of the Smart City project.
Friday’s rainfall saw a car submerged in a pothole on Vatika Road — a scene symbolic of Jaipur’s worsening urban conditions. Officials confirmed that over 630 km of roads were excavated before the rains for laying water pipelines and other works, but resurfacing was completed on only 176 km. This has left roads across key areas such as Kamla Nehru Nagar, MI Road, and Dhawas either flooded or crumbling. A senior urban development expert noted that multiple departments working in silos—particularly those managing water pipelines, drainage, and power—have created a chain of incomplete tasks, undermining road safety and public trust. In some places, newly laid roads were dug up again within six months, intensifying the sense of futility among residents. Meanwhile, trenches remain open and drainage systems are clogged or unfinished, causing chaos as rainfall continues. The lack of unified planning is drawing fierce criticism from urban planners and residents alike.
In colonies across Malviya Nagar and Ajmer Road, pedestrians tread cautiously to avoid hidden craters and slippery surfaces. According to urban infrastructure analysts, the crisis reflects deep administrative misalignment. Departments blame one another for missed deadlines — with roadwork halted until pipeline installation is done, and pipeline work delayed due to lack of coordination. Officials noted that weather forecasts were not adequately factored into planning schedules, resulting in rushed work or outright abandonment of sites. The impact is visible: collapsed road surfaces, incomplete stormwater drains, and unsafe passageways in commercial and residential hubs. A senior planning authority acknowledged that without streamlined protocols and enforced accountability, projects under the Smart City initiative risk becoming symbolic rather than transformative. Residents, especially in high-density zones, are now voicing concerns about safety and demanding transparency. With more rainfall predicted, the city’s fragile infrastructure may face further deterioration in the days ahead.
Jaipur’s struggles with potholes, flooding, and road collapses have become a stark reminder that digital dashboards and branding alone cannot define a Smart City. On-ground execution, coordinated governance, and resilient planning are the real pillars of urban transformation. As public discontent grows, city authorities are under pressure to deliver visible improvements and long-term solutions. Without urgent repair work and better inter-departmental coordination, the promise of a smarter, safer Jaipur may remain just that — a promise. The coming weeks will be a critical test for civic agencies tasked with turning plans into pavement, and restoring citizen trust in infrastructure commitments.
