Mohali’s VIP Roads Crumble As Monsoon Reveals Civic Failures
Mohali’s so-called ‘VIP roads’ have been reduced to craters, slush, and stagnant water this monsoon, triggering outrage among residents who once viewed these corridors as symbols of affluence and urban promise. From Airport Road to Zirakpur’s VIP Road and Nayagaon’s Nada stretch, rains have exposed glaring infrastructure lapses and municipal neglect. With many routes now treacherous for motorists and pedestrians alike, locals are questioning the viability of civic upkeep in high-tax residential zones.
Multiple high-traffic and residential roads across Mohali, once promoted as prime development corridors, are now struggling under the seasonal pressure of monsoon rains. Key stretches like Airport Road, VIP Road in Zirakpur, Lohgarh Road, and Nada Road in Nayagaon are riddled with potholes, waterlogging, and collapsing drainage. In Shivalik City, sewerage installations completed last year were never followed up with road resurfacing, leaving internal lanes vulnerable to erosion and mosquito breeding. Monsoon-triggered stagnation is raising serious health concerns, particularly in zones lacking paved footpaths or stormwater infrastructure. Experts warn that delayed resurfacing and non-functional drainage systems are worsening flood risk during even moderate rainfall events. Residents of upscale housing societies are voicing regret over property investments in these areas, citing safety concerns and deteriorating commute conditions. Despite repeated complaints, visible repair efforts remain limited, prompting citizens to demand a full audit of monsoon readiness and infrastructure quality by urban development authorities.
The crumbling condition of these once-celebrated roads underscores the failure of consistent urban maintenance and climate-resilient infrastructure planning. In several locations, road surfaces have caved in or been washed away, while repair teams scramble for temporary fixes. On Airport Road near Sector 67/80, a sinkhole forced authorities to block traffic entirely, exacerbating congestion in adjoining zones. In Zirakpur, VIP Road residents are navigating waterlogged potholes near luxury apartment clusters, with shopfronts and parking areas submerged. Local civic experts suggest that unchecked urban expansion, lack of sustainable drainage, and insufficient post-construction audits have created a fragile road network prone to collapse. Infrastructure that was meant to support high-density growth now poses daily hazards. Without proper slope grading, debris clearance, and routine inspections, many roads are likely to worsen before the rains recede. Meanwhile, residents have resorted to filing petitions and writing letters to authorities demanding immediate attention to restore basic mobility and safety.
As monsoon fury tests Mohali’s urban infrastructure, the collapse of its ‘VIP roads’ highlights deep-rooted civic inefficiencies and a lack of proactive maintenance. For residents who invested in high-end communities expecting superior services, the current state of roads is a bitter reality. The seasonal chaos has not only disrupted daily commutes but raised legitimate concerns about health, safety, and municipal accountability. With public frustration mounting, citizens are calling for urgent drainage upgrades, sustainable road design, and real-time grievance redressal before further damage occurs. Without structural reforms, Mohali’s infrastructure risks losing public trust and long-term urban credibility.
