The first drops of monsoon should bring relief from the heat. However, when they evoke fear of what lies beneath the muddy puddle, then something is definitely very wrong. In New Manish Nagar and adjoining areas, every rainstorm transforms ordinary roads into dangerous traps, where few inches of water hide deep potholes capable of throwing a rider off balance in seconds. Residents say they no longer drive on roads - they navigate obstacle courses. Two-wheelers zigzag between craters, four-wheelers crawl through broken patches, and pedestrians are left searching for a safe place to step. What should have been a five-minute commute has become a daily exercise in how to avoid mishaps. The condition of these internal roads tell a familiar story. Every year, temporary patches are laid down pre-monsoon, only to get washed away with the heavy shower.

 

The result is a network of damaged roads that resemble neglected construction sites rather than residential streets. Waterlogged potholes have become so common that motorists cannot distinguish between a harmless puddle and a wheel-breaking crater. “We pay taxes every year, but every monsoon we get the same broken roads. The potholes are filled with water, making it impossible to gauge the depth. One wrong move and an accident is certain,” lamented Rohit Upadhyay, a resident of the area. It is a safety hazard that increases the risk of falls, vehicle damage and serious injuries. Emergency vehicles, delivery personnel and daily commuters are all forced to slow down, creating unnecessary congestion and frustration. Similarly, school children, office-goers and senior citizens use this roads daily. “We leave home worrying more about the condition of the road than the traffic itself. Temporary patch work is not the solution,” said Priya Deshpande, another resident. An official told The Hitavada that the sight seeing of the roads will be started within days and repair work will follow as well too.

 

The road going from New Manish Nagar to Chinchbhuvan is also filled with potholes and patches, and would be repaired as early as possible. This is newly-developed concrete road, yet in few years of operation, the top layers have worn off, exposing shoddy construction. New Manish Nagar is one of city’s rapidly growing residential areas, yet its lanes reflect neglect rather than development. Civic infrastructure cannot be judged by announcements or tenders, it must be judged by whether citizens can travel safely without risking their lives. Monsoon has once again done what inspections failed to do - expose every crack, every failed repair and every unfulfilled promise.