Daijiworld Media Network - Kaup (HB/SP)
Kaup, Apr 22: People often come across the roads which develop potholes within months of newly laying them. The same potholes are then filled through patchwork. But one uncanny habit of the government officials is that they do not fill patches where it is badly needed. Even when the potholes are deep enough to sink an entire wheel, the departments turn a blind eye.
But Shirva-Katapady road has a different story altogether. This road is in good condition but it is being dug up by using money of the public. Shirva-Katapady road had been built at a cost of seven crore rupees three years back and the road continues to be in good condition. The PWD is digging the road irresponsibly for conducting concrete patchwork near Katapady. The department is spending Rs 20 lac for the repairs.
The road is in good condition. Recently the local MLA had performed a ground breaking ceremony for concreting of the road measuring 8 meters in width and 140 metres long. Work is being undertaken in a hurry. Suspicions have arisen about the intention of the officials and the people's representatives in digging a road that is in good condition. They appear to have been driven by the only aim of spending the rain damage grant
No drain
The road where the work is undertaken has no drains. Instead of building drains, the government has undertaken patchwork, which is laughable. Because of the absence of drain, rainwater has flown on the road here, as a result of which a few damaged parches had appeared. They have been filled with asphalt. The locals feel that instead of spending money on concrete patchwork, they could have stopped damage to the road permanently by building drains on both sides, and the tar road could have been given a paver finish at less cost, they feel.
The place where the service road joins the main road near Katapady Junction. The road gets damaged during the rainy season. A few bike riders had fallen here and suffered injuries, and this problem was brought to the notice of the deputy commissioner, MLA etc. The auto rickshaw driver had undertaken patch work here. Instead of digging a good road, this repairs could have been undertaken.
A local resident said that people are opposed to digging a road which is in good condition and that they are committed to fight against people wasting public money.