Rain gives way to potholed roads in Noida

Heavy rains in the last week have led to the city’s roads developing potholes that have badly affected traffic movement.

Heavy rain in the last week has led to the city’s roads developing potholes that have badly affected traffic movement. The Noida authority, which has received several complaints from residents about these potholes, said they have appeared mainly after the rain.

Residents have been complaining about potholes on city roads, which are damaging their vehicles and causing traffic jams. (Burhaan Kinu/HT Photo)

According to the traffic police, the two most problematic stretches are on a seven-kilometre road connecting Sector 71 and NH-24 near Model Town Sector 62.

One stretch of 300 metres falls between Sector 60/61 intersection and Mamura Mandi Chowk while another stretch of nearly 500 metres falls between NH24 and Electronic Tower on the same road.

“The traffic volume on this road during rush hours is higher than on other roads. Potholes on the two stretches have created huge problems in managing traffic movement,” said a traffic constable.

The road leading from Sector 18 to Sector 60/61 via sectors 27, 28, 30, 31, 33, 34, 53, 58, 59 and 60/61 also faces frequent traffic jams due to a number of potholes.

According to commuters, construction of an elevated corridor had already damaged the road badly and then the rains added several potholes. Roads from sectors 62 to 83 have also been affected similarly.

“The stretch between NTPC Chowk and Sector 30/31 — a stretch of roughly 500 metres — is very bad. There are large and deep potholes. We drive at a snail’s pace to prevent damage to our vehicles. Traffic moves bumper to bumper during rush hours,” said Alok Vats of Sector 33.

“Commuting in Noida has become a big problem these days because of traffic jams and potholes. It is both tiresome andconsumes a lot of fuel,” said Sumit Saini of Indirapuram.

“Four days ago, my bike hit a deep pothole near Phase III police station in Sector 71 and I fell, but I was unhurt as I was moving slowly. But I was drenched as the street was waterlogged,” said Saurav Kumar, of Kalyanpuri, Delhi.

Harish Joneja, secretary of Noida Entrepreneurs Association (NEA), said, “My car was damaged after it hit a big pothole on Thursday.”

On its part, the Noida authority claimed to have fixed most potholes.

“We have fixed potholes in most areas besides roads where construction is underway for elevated road and metro or underpasses,” said Saumya Srivastava, deputy chief executive officer (DCEO), Noida authority.

“These roads need proper black topping that will be done later,” she added.