Posh south Delhi streets tell a story of utter neglect
Important stretches like Nelson Mandela Road, New Friend's Colony crossing, Ashram Chowk, Panchsheel Road, Maa Anandamai Marg and Savitri Marg were among the roads found to be in the worst condition in the area.
South Delhi may boast about the charm it adds to the Capital but the roads in the area are not so charming. The residents too have seemed to given up on civic agencies, which have failed to derive a long-term solution to keep the roads intact.
Mail Today conducted a ground survey of the roads maintained by the Public Works Department and the municipal corporation and found the authorities have a long way to go to live up to its status of a posh locality.
Important stretches like Nelson Mandela Road, New Friend's Colony crossing, Ashram Chowk, Panchsheel Road, Maa Anandamai Marg and Savitri Marg were among the roads found to be in the worst condition in the area.
A resident of Vasant Kunj AK Mehta said, "The work to construct a stretch from Andheria Modh to Fortis is causing the maximum trouble for commuters. The construction was sanctioned in 2012 and the work started in November that year. Due to dispute the construction could not be completed and since then it has been left incomplete."
The residents told Mail Today that the road starting from Block D1 in Vasant Kunj to Jal board office and Nelson Mandela Road has not been revamped in eight years.
"During monsoon, south Delhi roads are as bad as Najafgarh's. I don't know what the problem is! Potholes emerge from nowhere, drains widen, it becomes a mess. The contractors must be in collusion with local administration to get away with shoddy work year after year, says Himani Kothari, a resident of CR Park.
New Friends Colony is another posh area of South Delhi where the roads are in a poor condition and needs immediate revamping. "The New Friends' Colony residents' welfare association has received complaints from the residents, especially senior citizens who complain of spine and neck problems while travelling. The pot holes on the roads have become vulnerable spots for accidents and collisions," said Arun Jaggi, vice president, New Friends' Colony residents' welfare association.
When contacted, officials of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation said SDMC calls for tenders to repair roads from time to time and the work is done ward wise.