Pothole peril back on 80km of arteries in Lucknow

LUCKNOW: Cracks and warts are showing up on many city roads rebuilt or repaird before the model code for Lok Sabha elections came into force in March, raising questions on the quality of construction materials used by the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC).
According to LMC records, 53km of roads were laid afresh while another 27km were repaired between January and March.
Rules say a new road must last four years while repaired ones at least nine months.
A TOI reality check revealed road surface erosion in many areas, including Charbagh, Gomitnagar, Mahanagar, Jankipuram, Rajajipuram, Vikasnagar, Aliganj, Lalbagh and Narhi. Residents argued that if not repaired urgently, the cracks and potholes would yawn open into craters during monsoon and lead to accidents.
Pawan Kumar, a commuter in Charbagh, said cracks had resurfaced here within two months. “The arterial road witnesses a daily vehicle count of 6,000-7,000. And yet, the quality of repairs has been substandard,” he added.
Shivani Yadav in Mahanagar said, “The other day, an elderly man lost control of his bike and was injured when he drove straight into a pothole. This road was repaired just before the elections and look at it now.”
The stretch near Janeshwar Mishra Park in Gomtinagar, repaired only last month, already has ugly warts. Commuters said driving or biking on the road was risky after sundown because streetlights in the area were also lying defunct. “A bumpy ride is among the least of your worries here. You may fall down and receive grievous injuries if your bike hits a pothole in the dark. My bike has skidded so many times. I am always extra cautious on this stretch,” said Shikhar Awasthi.
In Aliganj, too, residents complained about poor quality of road construction. Devendra Sharma, a resident of Sector K, said the LMC was putting people’s lives at risk by using substandard materials. “Officials involved in the project must be held accountable,” he added.
Roads in Jankipuram are in no better shape. Priyanshu Verma, a resident of Sahara Estates, said the problem was chronic. “Every time the road is fixed, the surface begins eroding in a month or so. Motorists and bikers need to be perennially cautious on the stretch,” he said.
Chief engineer of LMC SP Singh said they would penalise contractors if they had used substandard materials. “We will carry out an inspection and submit our file to the municipal commissioner so that strict action can be taken against those found guilty,” he said.