PWD launches 24-hour pothole fix mission across Delhi roads
Delhi’s Public Works Department (PWD) conducted an extensive pothole repair drive across the city, filling over 3,400 potholes in a single day. The operation targeted arterial roads, internal lanes, and high-risk accident zones to improve road safety and ease commuter woes before heavy rains increase road damage and traffic hazards across the national capital.
The ambitious campaign covered a wide stretch of the PWD road network in Delhi, including heavily used routes and vulnerable intersections prone to accidents. Civic officials involved in the mission said the repairs were informed by data gathered from citizen complaints, drone-based inspections, and on-ground surveys. With potholes known to worsen during monsoon showers, this initiative is seen as a crucial step toward ensuring safer roads during the rainy season.
More than 1,000 workers and 200 fully equipped maintenance vans participated in the single-day blitz. The department deployed advanced compactors and ready-mix materials for faster execution, with assistance from engineers supervising each zone. Each pothole reportedly took around 20 minutes to repair. To maintain transparency, every fix was geo-tagged and photographed with a time stamp, forming part of a digital audit trail to verify work quality and accountability.
PWD officials emphasised that while immediate repairs are essential, long-term road redevelopment remains the goal. Around 150 km of roads have already been re-carpeted, with work on another 100 km in progress. Officials added that the ultimate target is to redevelop 500 km of road network by March 2026. They also linked previous road deterioration to older practices and stressed improved construction methods to prevent pothole formation in the future.
The timing of the campaign was critical, according to civic authorities. Potholes during monsoon months can be deadly, particularly for two-wheeler riders who face heightened risks of skidding or falling. The drive aims to prevent monsoon-related accidents and reduce waterlogging complaints. Local MLAs and civic representatives were tasked with overseeing the repair work in their constituencies, ensuring that public feedback was factored into the process for better urban mobility outcomes.
This rapid pothole-filling initiative is part of Delhi’s broader strategy to improve commuter experience and urban road safety before the monsoon intensifies. While experts caution that quality control and long-term planning remain essential, the move signals a renewed focus on responsive governance and safer infrastructure. Timely civic action, if sustained and monitored well, could prevent repeated seasonal disruptions and protect thousands of road users across the capital.
