Chandigarh's War on Potholes: DC Imposes Strict 72-Hour Deadline for City-Wide Repairs

CHANDIGARH – The streets of Chandigarh are bracing for a rapid transformation as the city’s administration has declared an urgent war on potholes. In a decisive move to address widespread public discontent and hazardous road conditions, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Vinay Pratap Singh has issued a stringent 72-hour ultimatum to various departments, demanding the immediate and comprehensive repair of every pockmarked stretch across the Union Territory.

This unprecedented directive, emerging from a high-level review meeting, underscores the administration's resolve to rectify a long-standing issue that has plagued commuters and residents alike.

The mandate covers all roads, from bustling arterial routes to quiet internal sector lanes, holding departments accountable for their respective jurisdictions.

The Engineering Department, the Municipal Corporation, and the Road and Bridges Corporation have been thrust into action. The Engineering Department is tasked with mending main roads and the vital sector-dividing pathways, while the Municipal Corporation holds responsibility for internal sector roads.

The urgency is palpable, with officials now scrambling to mobilize resources, survey damaged areas, and commence repair work before the clock runs out.

The timing of this directive is no coincidence. The recent monsoon season, while bringing much-needed relief from the heat, left an unwelcome legacy of extensive road damage.

Potholes, some minor and others gaping chasms, proliferated across the city, transforming daily commutes into perilous journeys and sparking a torrent of complaints from exasperated citizens. Public outcry, amplified through various channels, clearly reached the highest echelons of the administration.

“We must ensure that our roads are safe and motorable for everyone,” DC Singh reportedly emphasized during the crucial meeting.

This statement reflects a commitment to public safety and an acknowledgement of the chronic nature of the problem, which has seen previous repair initiatives fall short or progress at a snail's pace.

The DC has made it clear that a detailed status report will be required immediately after the 72-hour deadline expires, signaling a zero-tolerance approach to non-compliance.

This level of scrutiny is expected to drive prompt and effective action, preventing a repeat of past delays and ensuring accountability.

As the deadline looms, Chandigarh's various departments are now in overdrive. Teams are fanning out across the city, machinery is being deployed, and repair materials are being readied.

The next three days will be a test of efficiency and coordination, with the ultimate goal of restoring Chandigarh’s roads to their promised smooth and safe condition, bringing relief to thousands of daily commuters and enhancing the city’s urban infrastructure.