Nagpur: Barely weeks after the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) claimed to have repaired hundreds of potholes across city, several of those restored stretches have already deteriorated, with potholes reappearing and exposing what motorists describe as poor-quality restoration work.A preliminary survey by NMC across its 10 zones identified 1,282 potholes covering 12,398.20sqm of damaged road surface, underscoring rapid deterioration of tar roads following persistent July rainfall.The civic survey found Dharampeth zone reporting the highest 353 potholes, followed by Hanuman Nagar (280), Nehru Nagar (147), Laxmi Nagar (138), Ashi Nagar (125), Mangalwari (119), Dhantoli (67), Gandhibagh (28), Satranjipura (16) and Lakadganj (15).Ironically, many of these damaged stretches had already undergone repairs during monsoon. According to NMC’s Hotmix Plant Dept, 698 potholes were repaired between July 1 and July 28 across various zones.“Between July 1 and July 28, the dept repaired 698 potholes across city,” a senior official said. Department records show the maximum 163 repairs were carried out in Nehru Nagar zone, followed by Mangalwari (144), Dharampeth (107), Hanuman Nagar (78), Dhantoli (70), Ashi Nagar (52), Satranjipura (26), Gandhibagh (16) and Lakadganj (13).However, field visits by TOI found several of these repaired roads have once again developed potholes, raising questions over the quality and durability of the restoration works. The stretch from CK Nayudu Square near the old VCA Stadium to Futala Lake is one such example. Despite being repaired recently by the Hotmix Plant Dept, the road has again developed multiple potholes, while loose gravel scattered across carriageway has become a hazard for 2-wheeler riders.Motorists said repeated failure of repairs has not only increased the risk of accidents but has also worsened dust pollution as vehicles crush the loose aggregate left behind after the bituminous surface peels off.The problem goes beyond roads under NMC’s jurisdiction. Many stretches maintained by MahaMetro, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Public Works Department (PWD) and Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) have developed dangerous potholes due to rains.To arrest further damage to the already deteriorating roads, the Hotmix Plant Department has deployed manpower and supplied repair material to all zonal offices, directing engineers to undertake immediate pothole filling.
