Mohali: Given the potholed and waterlogged roads of Mohali, one might think it has been pouring for weeks. But no, the heavy infrastructure damage is the result of barely one hour of rainfall – twice in the last 48 hours – that too when the rainy season is fully expected and anticipated.With major roads submerged and potholes concealed in stagnant water across Mohali and neighbouring towns, commuters are struggling to navigate what residents described as “death traps.”With monsoon setting in, roads across Mohali, Kharar, Zirakpur, Nayagaon and Dera Bassi have again become symbols of civic neglect. Waterlogging on damaged roads has not only disrupted traffic but also increased the risk of accidents, particularly for two-wheeler riders. Since they are unable to judge the depth of potholes beneath the stagnant water, even a short ride on a familiar road can be dangerous. Residents said several motorists have lost their balance after their vehicles hit submerged potholes.Four-wheeler owners have also complained of heavy financial losses after driving through flooded roads. Many alleged that their vehicles developed engine trouble, suspension damage and electrical faults after water seeped into vital components while crossing inundated stretches.Some of the worst-hit roads include Airport Road, the stretch from Phase-11 traffic light towards Kumbra light point, roads in Phase 2, dividing road between Phase 3 and Phase 5 Industrial Area, besides several roads in newly-developed sectors of Mohali.Residents said nothing had been done to repair the damage despite repeated complaints.Former deputy mayor Manjit Singh Sethi said the city’s road infrastructure requires urgent attention.“One spell of rain is enough to expose the planning failure of civic agencies. Potholed roads have become death traps. The entire road network needs immediate repair before a major tragedy occurs,” he said.The situation is equally grim in Kharar, Zirakpur, Nayagaon and Dera Bassi, where residents claimed they have been living with broken roads and waterlogging for years. They alleged that every monsoon exposes the same civic failures, but permanent solutions remain elusive.Jarnail Singh, a trader from Nayagaon, said the road passing through the main market has virtually been abandoned by the authorities.“The road bisecting our market has not been properly repaired for nearly 10 years. Water remains accumulated here throughout the year, affecting customers, businesses and daily movement. Despite repeated complaints, nothing changes,” he said.The condition of the busy Kharar-Landran Road is also a major concern for commuters. Large portions of the road remain dug up for various infrastructure works, while other stretches are riddled with deep craters that fill with rainwater, making them almost impossible to detect.Rajesh Kumar, resident of a housing society along the Kharar-Landran Road, said, “A truck got stuck after its tyres sank into a portion of the road that had caved in. The vehicle remained stranded there for three to four days before it could be removed, resulting in massive traffic jams and inconvenience to thousands of commuters.”Residents alleged that instead of undertaking comprehensive road repairs and improving stormwater drainage, civic agencies continue to rely on temporary patchwork that gets washed away with every spell of rain. Blocked drains worsen the situation, preventing rainwater from draining and leaving roads submerged for hours.Citizens have expressed anger over what they termed apathy of civic authorities, saying every monsoon brings the same ordeal despite repeated assurances of better infrastructure. They demanded immediate repair of damaged roads, desilting of drains and long-term measures to prevent recurring waterlogging, warning that continued neglect could lead to serious accidents and further damage to public property.
