Rains leave roads damaged, putting commuters to risk | Lucknow News

Lucknow: A week of monsoon showers left roads across the state capital battered, with potholes, loose stones and dust visible in areas such as Gomtinagar, Mahanagar, Nishatganj, Hazratganj and several other localities, even in heritage areas like Hussainabad. In many places, the damage appeared on stretches that were re-laid barely 15 days to a month before rains. Residents said problem was more severe in areas recently brought under jurisdiction of the Lucknow Municipal Corporation, where road quality and drainage remain inconsistent. Commuters say deteriorating surfaces slowed traffic and increased risk of accidents, particularly during heavy rain when potholes get submerged. “You can’t tell where the road ends and pothole begins until you hit it,” said a two-wheeler rider in Gomtinagar. “Every year, same roads get repaired before rains and break within weeks. Earlier a month ago, road in front of Khun Khun Ji College was repaired but it broke in 20 days. It’s public money down the drain,” said Rakesh Kapoor, resident of Lajpatnagar, Chowk. A commuter from Lohia Path, Amir Ahmad, claimed: “The small pebbles on the road can cause severe accidents as they get shattered when a speeding vehicle passes over them.” Most of the roads around the city, which were repaired by the authorities in the recent past, are now damaged. Shopkeepers at Sitapur Road near Pakka Pul said just a few days ago, a new layer of road was laid, which came off with just three days of rain. “There are several potholes on various roads in Gomtinagar. It becomes very dangerous particularly at night. People are getting injured, and two-wheelers are slipping,” said Satish Awasthi, a resident of Gomtinagar. The heritage zone is also facing similar issues, as many parts of the cobblestone road stretch from Pakka Pul to Hussainabad have several deep pits, causing slow traffic movement and injuries to commuters. All attempts by TOI to call LMC chief engineer Mahesh Chandra Verma went unattended. PWD executive engineer Satyendra Nath said, “Repair of roads is underway across Lucknow. Roads under the scheduled repair cycle will be fully repaired while others will be maintained to ensure usability. Not a single pothole or patch will be left unattended. Work is being carried out on Lohia Path, Shaheed Path, Lucknow-Ayodhya Marg, and all other stretches where damage has been reported.