The bad condition of roads in Gurgaon was ranked the second most serious civic problem in the city, after poor supply of electricity by residents.
During a survey conducted by Hindustan Times, nearly 84% residents complained of bumpy rides in the Millennium City that boasts of high-rises, malls and commercial offices.
Though the administration has started repairing roads in patches, there are several stretches that are being overlooked.
Surprisingly, 71% of the respondents said that quality of roads in Gurgaon had worsened in the last one year while 64% reported that roads near their homes/offices were repaired more than one year ago despite the fact that government agencies claim to spend R4-5 crore every year on maintenance of roads.
Residents feel the situation deteriorates after the monsoon season.
In the last week of October, some 30 residents owing allegiance to NGO India Against Corruption and Anna Hazare's campaign against corruption registered their protest against potholed roads in a unique way.
They took to streets and painted potholes and craters on the road and scribbled interesting slogans to draw the civic agency's attention.
Residents also feel that a lot still needs to be done and driving on city roads is dangerous and an open invitation to accidents.
{{/usCountry}}Residents also feel that a lot still needs to be done and driving on city roads is dangerous and an open invitation to accidents.
{{/usCountry}}“I have to send my car every month to the service centre for wheel alignment. I really feel at times why we pay road tax if there is no road in the city. The authorities have started doing some patch work but how long these would survive is again a big question,” said Mahesh Singh.
He further added, “A stretch at Aardee City and Golf Course Road has been completed but the Sector 57 road is still awaiting the attention of authorities. Even the Golf Course extension road is left unattended. It is high-time Gurgaon residents get a pothole-free ride.”
But the recent repairs have brought a ray of hope. Ramdhan Sharma said, “City roads have been neglected for the last many years. Nobody bothered to get them carpeted or get potholes filled. It has always been bumpy journey on city roads. But things look set for a change now.”