DESIGN DISASTER   

 

 

 

 

After the July 20 floods, which left hundreds of households inundated with up to four feet of water in their homes, the Public Works Department (PWD), finally, acknowledged its mistake. In a corrective measure it has started dismantling a stretch of newly-constructed cement road in Manewada that had been built over tar road. The elevated cement road had blocked rainwater flow during the recent floods. The Manewada Square to Besa Road has become a focal point of discussion among residents due to its increased height. The elevated road, intended to improve transportation infrastructure, instead complicated the flooding situation by obstructing natural rainwater drainage. As a result, homes and businesses in the area suffered severe water damage, which resulted in widespread public outcry.

 

The residents had voiced their issues about the road’s unnecessary height and questioned local leaders and the administration about the rationale behind this decision. However, their pleas were initially met with resistance, and their questions largely went unaddressed until the floods made the issue unavoidable. The elevated road not only hampered the natural flow of rainwater but also contributed to the inundation of residential areas and caused major property losses. Realising the impact of the elevated cement roads and the public’s outrage, the administration finally took action and instructed the contractor to lower the road’s height. According to the plan, a 70-meter section of the road is being dismantled on PWD’s orders. After removing the section, it will be dug up, and paver blocks will be placed at a height reduced by about one foot. Similarly, drainage pipes will be installed below the road to manage rainwater runoff. Once these changes are made to one side of the road, the other side will be adjusted in the same manner. Despite this late intervention, residents are still dissatisfied with the corrective measures, questioning why the road’s height was increased in the first place.

 

A new tar road had been constructed from Manewada Square to Besa Square in 2018-19, and it was adequately motorable. Yet, the administration unnecessarily proceeded with the construction of the cement road. According to Prashant Shankarpure, Sub-Divisional Engineer of PWD, the administration initially approved the road project at a cost of Rs 20 crore. However, the contract was awarded at Rs 11.98 crore, despite an estimated cost of Rs 16 crore. As per the contract, the contractor was required to mill 5 cm of the tar road, lay down 10 cm of dry lean concrete, and apply 30 cm of pavement quality concrete. Shankarpure claimed that the road’s length was increased by 35 cm due to the concrete layer.