CHANDIGARH, July 6 — The Municipal Corporation (MC) has invited bids worth Rs 50 lakh to repair city roads that were severely damaged during the first heavy spell of monsoon rain this week. A preliminary survey conducted by the civic body revealed road damage at 15 locations across the city, prompting urgent intervention.
Among the worst-hit stretches are the roads between Dadumajra and Maloya, and the Sector 47/48 divider, where portions reportedly caved in. Similar incidents of collapse and potholing were recorded at the Sector 14/15 road and the Sector 31/47 roundabout, while roads in Manimajra and nearby villages developed deep potholes, posing a safety risk to commuters.
An MC official confirmed that tenders for immediate patchwork and structural repairs have been floated. “The damage is widespread but localized. We are prioritizing areas with the most serious road failures,” the official said.
However, the Rs 50 lakh allocation has raised eyebrows among residents, with concerns over whether the budget is sufficient for lasting repairs. “This amount is far too little for any meaningful or quality repair work,” said RK Garg, a city resident and activist. “It’s likely to result in superficial patch-ups rather than durable solutions. This is nothing but a waste of taxpayer money.”
City engineers have attributed the damage to poor drainage and underlying structural weaknesses exacerbated by the sudden and heavy rainfall.
While officials maintain that repairs will begin swiftly after tender finalization, residents have urged the administration to increase funding and ensure proper quality control to avoid recurring damage during the ongoing monsoon.
