Imagine navigating a busy road, only to encounter a treacherous pothole that could easily upend your journey. This scenario is a daily reality for commuters on Kalamna Road in Nagpur. Despite recent efforts by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to address the issue, the dangerous conditions persist, posing a significant threat to motorists.
The Incident: A Close Call for Deepak Harode
On July 27, Deepak Harode, a middle-aged biker, experienced a life-threatening accident when his bike skidded on a notorious pothole between Gomti Hotel Square and Kalamna. The resulting injuries to his head and face underscored the severity of the road’s condition.
Eyewitness Account
Eyewitness Paramjit Singh Kalsi, who was present at the scene, described the incident in vivid detail. He promptly filed an FIR at the Kalamna police station and criticized the negligent approach of the road-owning agencies, particularly the NHAI, the state Public Works Department (PWD), and the Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT).
Failed Repairs: A Temporary Fix Gone Wrong
Following Harode’s accident, the NHAI attempted to fill the pothole with tar on the cement road. However, this quick fix quickly deteriorated, with loose gravel from the patchwork causing further hazards for two-wheeler riders.
The Patchwork Problem
Motorists have reported that the tar used for the repairs is now chipping off, creating loose gravel that exacerbates the danger rather than mitigating it. This situation highlights the inadequacy of temporary solutions for long-term problems.
The Root Cause: Poor Workmanship and Neglect
The pothole originally formed due to dislodged interlocking blocks (i-blocks) placed before the cement road. This issue is a direct result of poor workmanship, which has now left the road in a perilous state.
Kalsi’s Outrage
Kalsi did not mince words in his criticism of the agencies responsible for the road’s upkeep. He labeled their method of repairing a pothole on a cement road with tar as ineffective and temporary, calling it a scam and emphasizing the need for accountability and a long-term solution.
Broader Implications: A City-Wide Issue
The hazardous conditions on Kalamna Road are not an isolated incident. They reflect a broader issue of inadequate road maintenance throughout Nagpur. Newly constructed elevated cement concrete roads are causing waterlogging, while neglected tar roads are becoming increasingly dangerous.
Residents Speak Out
Atul Wankhede, a resident of Pardi, and Ganesh Taksande, another motorist from Kalamna, both voiced their concerns about the neglectful maintenance of roads. They pointed out the inconvenience and health issues, such as severe back pain, caused by the poor road conditions, which also contribute to accidents, particularly for vulnerable road users like two-wheeler and bicycle riders.
Accountability and Responsibility
The ongoing hazardous conditions underscore the need for greater accountability and responsibility from road-owning agencies. NHAI project director C Sinha has promised to look into the matter, but such assurances do little to alleviate the immediate danger faced by commuters.
Long-Term Solutions Needed
Effective and durable repairs are essential to ensure the safety of motorists. Temporary fixes and patchwork solutions are inadequate and only serve to compound the danger.
The hazardous pothole on Kalamna Road continues to pose a significant threat to the lives of commuters. The negligence of road-owning agencies, coupled with ineffective repair methods, underscores the need for a more durable and effective solution. It is imperative that these issues are addressed promptly to prevent further accidents and ensure the safety of all road users.
- What caused the pothole on Kalamna Road?
- The pothole formed due to the dislodging of interlocking blocks placed before the cement road, a result of poor workmanship.
- Why was the repair on the pothole ineffective?
- The NHAI used tar to fill the pothole on a cement road, a temporary fix that quickly deteriorated, causing further hazards.
- What are the broader implications of poor road maintenance in Nagpur?
- Poor road maintenance leads to waterlogging on newly constructed roads and dangerous conditions on neglected tar roads, causing inconvenience and health issues for residents.
- What can be done to improve road safety on Kalamna Road?
- Durable and effective repairs are needed, along with greater accountability and responsibility from road-owning agencies.
- Who is responsible for maintaining the roads in Nagpur?
- The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the state Public Works Department (PWD), and the Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) are responsible for road maintenance in Nagpur.
