'Poor drainage, planning responsible for state of roads'

BHOPAL: Lack of planning, poor quality control and drainage system are the primary causes for the poor condition of roads in the state capital. Experts told TOI that poor drainage leads to accumulation of water on the roads that eventually washes off a patch or leaves the roads with potholes.
The residents are left to suffer while the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) is just waiting for the contractors to take charge of renovating them without holding anyone accountable for the people's sufferings.
Interestingly, the BMC as of now do not have a plan for comprehensive drainage system for the state capital. The additional commissioner Pramod Shukla too admitted to this while talking to the TOI.
N T Vyas, retired chief engineer public works department (PWD) said, improper drainage system across the city is the main reason for damage to the roads.
"The topography of Bhopal is favourable for good roads. But, since the city lacks proper drainage system, the water accumulates on the roads during monsoons and thereby the roads are damaged even during the initial spell of rains."
"Moreover, lack of supervision and faulty construction material are other reasons for the roads getting washed away as soon as they are made. There should be at least one official of the civic body on the field supervising the construction activity and ensure that proper procedures are followed. Presently, the work is done as per the convenience of the contractors," he said.
"There has to be more stringent quality control especially with regards to the construction material used while building roads. This is another factor, why the roads in Bhopal are damaged within a short span of construction," he added.
Surprisingly, the corporation has also not initiated any action against contractors who are responsible for the poor condition of roads in the city.
"We do not have any list of civil contractors who are looking after the maintenance of the roads," M M Garg, in charge of road maintenance department, BMC said.