50% of 7,600 potholes repaired across Delhi, work to finish by May end: PWD

In these three zones, there are 17 road divisions under the PWD. Of the total road divisions, the largest number of potholes has been identified in Shahdara (1,196), followed by Central and New Delhi road divisions at 710, Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Road Division 1 at 650, and South Road 2 at 527.

In the East Zone, 1,074 potholes are yet to be repaired. The figure is 2,228 in the North Zone and 1,130 in the South.

A senior PWD official said, “Both the Chief Minister and PWD Minister have given strict instructions to repair potholes before the BJP government in Delhi completes 100 days in power… The department has been asked to submit daily reports on the repair of roads and potholes… We have different target dates for repairing potholes in each area. For instance, the targeted date to repair roads in Southwest, Northwest, and West Delhi is May 5… Repairs in other road divisions are to be finished by May 15 and May 31… Before the end of May, all potholes will be repaired.”

The PWD is also working on a war footing to carry out patchwork — laying a new layer of bitumen — on 6.19 lakh sqm of damaged and broken roads and pavements.

According to data from the PWD, a total area of 3.59 lakh sqm of broken and damaged roads that needed patchwork was identified. Of this, 40,824 sqm has been repaired.

Data shows that a large number of poor roads were identified in the East Zone, followed by the South and North zones. “Work on some of these stretches has been completed… Divisions where work is yet to start have been directed to expedite the process and are awaiting approval… All patchwork will be done by May end,” said officials.

The BJP government also has a target to repair 101 stretches, spread across 250 km of key arterial roads, before monsoon. Some key roads, like Noida Link Road, which connects Central Delhi and Noida, have been repaired. Work on other key stretches, such as the Akshardham flyover, R K Puram, and Vikas Marg, among others, is in progress.

The state of city roads was one of the major issues raised by the residents during the Assembly polls. During campaigning, top BJP leaders — from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath to Union Home Minister Amit Shah — had attacked the previous AAP government for Delhi’s poor road infrastructure.

CM Rekha Gupta is closely monitoring road repair work, officials said.

In a high-level meeting on Tuesday, she directed the PWD to repair and strengthen the 101 roads before the monsoon and repair potholes on priority.

The CM also directed officials to increase plantation on central verges with proper landscaping, intensify garbage-removal efforts, and remove unauthorised posters and banners from all public places. “Strict action will be taken against violators who damage public property under the Defacement of Property Act,” said the CM.