The interior roads in Dabha have collapsed into an almost unrecognisable state. Absence of administrative ownership has left residents navigating conditions which represent an abandoned rural track. The roadways have eroded into a labyrinth of trenches and stagnant water pockets, particularly near Shiv Nagar. The surface has dissolved into a slushy mixture of soil, gravel, and water.

 

Deep depressions have been formed that resemble miniature craters. The potholes are not isolated defects, but interconnected cavities that occupy the entire width of the road. The riders of these roads complain of having to navigate unpredictable undulations. The roads reveal deep scars that have been carved by vehicular struggle. The ridges distort the road’s topography so sharply that two-wheelers are compelled to tilt dangerously. Along the remaining length, the top layer has fragmented into cracked patches and loose aggregates. The jarring path shakes vehicles even at minimal speed. Mahesh Mishra, a resident, spoke about the issues he has been facing due to the poor condition of roads. “I have to travel these roads every night on my way home. The area’s population has expanded heavily, as new homes and multistorey structures have been rising.

 

However, the infrastructure that supports this growth remains frozen and neglected. Four-wheelers too, routinely incur suspension damage from the sudden drops. According to a NMC official, the stretch falls under the Green Zone Belt of Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT), and hence falls outside NMC’s repair mandate. However, he said that, efforts are underway to uplift Dabha roads. Efforts to contact NIT proved unsuccessful. A resident conclusively expressed that a full reconstruction of the road and laying of a durable asphalt surface is desired for a long term solution.