Hubballi: The upcoming Ganesha festival has bad condition from Streets In Hubballi Citywhich caused concern among local residents.
The recent rain in the Twin Cities has made the situation worse, causing numerous potholes that have made many roads difficult to navigate. The deteriorating roads are causing great concern to people as they prepare for the festivities.
Authorities are being urged to take immediate action to repair the damaged roads and ensure public safety during the festival season. Mayor Ramanna Badiger recently directed the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) officials to repair the roads ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi.
According to sources, senior HDMC officials have issued a circular to all EEs, JEs and others in the zonal offices asking them not to use wet concrete as it is against PWD norms. “To ensure that all roads are motorable, officials have been directed to restore the roads with morrum soil for now until the rains stop. Once the rains stop, a permanent solution will have to be found which involves filling the roads with patching,” an official said.
E Timmappa, executive engineer, HDMC, said that asphalt cannot be laid during the rainy season and as a temporary measure, morrum is being used to fill potholes before Ganesh Chaturthi. After the festival, a survey of potholes will be done with geotagging, tenders will be invited and patching work will start after October, he added.
He said there was no financial crunch to take up the emergency work. “All the district offices have already spent Rs 500,000 on emergency work during rains. There is no problem of more funds. We have instructed all the officials to first temporarily restore the roads with morrum to ensure that they are motorable,” he added.
Amaresh Hippargi, secretary of the Hubballi Sarvajanik Sri Ganeshotsav Samitigala Mahamandal, said they have already brought issues related to roads and trees and cleaning of water tanks to the attention of the DC and HDMC Commissioner. “They have assured to take appropriate action in this regard. In a few days, Mahamandal will again meet the officials concerned and discuss the issues,” he added.
We have also recently published the following articles
Orthopaedic specialists in Pune reported a 20 percent increase in back pain due to commuting on pothole-filled roads. Frequent commuters, especially on two-wheelers, face serious health risks including slipped discs and neck pain. Doctors advise caution, slow driving and consulting specialists in case of persistent pain as a solution to persistent back problems.
The approach road to the newly constructed Bicholim bypass was in a bad condition near the first flyover at Bordem, Bicholim. Locals, including Gopal Chodankar, demanded that the PWD repair the pothole-ridden road immediately to avoid accidents. The road serves villages like Karapur, Sanquelim and Valpoi and poses a risk due to the potholes filled with rainwater.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde directed the authorities to stop heavy goods traffic to and from JNPT during peak hours and to immediately repair potholes on highways connecting Mumbai with Thane, Raigad, Palghar and Nashik districts using modern mechanisms. Temporary parking areas for trucks will be constructed and precast concrete slabs will be used on damaged stretches to minimise congestion.
