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The deadline given to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to repair damaged roads ended on September 1. With the onset of the festive season, the deadline of the Public Works Department is over as well. But the potholes on the city roads remain. Though the Delhi government had assured to repair damaged roads, commuters are still suffering. The civic agencies responsible for their upkeep seem to be least bothered.
Traffic jams
Potholes create regular traffic jams at the police checkpost on the Noida Link Road. "I commute on the stretch everyday. As soon as the vehicles enter Delhi from Noida, the traffic slows down. The condition of the road is pathetic," said Neelesh Kumar, who works in Noida.
The Ring Road, Delhi's lifeline, is also suffering from the same problem. Cracks on the Lajpat Nagar Flyover have gone unnoticed. So big are these that the rider of a two-wheeler can easily be thrown off from his vehicle if either of the wheels lands into the potholes. The damage done by the rains this year is yet to be repaired.
Permanent feature
"Pockmarked roads seem to have become a permanent feature in Delhi and the NCR. The model code of conduct which is soon to be imposed in the city for the Assembly elections will be an excuse to delay the repair work further," said Kapil Sharma, a resident of East Delhi.
Blame game
However, as commuters suffer, the civic agencies responsible for the upkeep of roads pass the blame. The engineer-in-chief of the MCD, Ravi Das, said, "The MCD has repaired the roads under its jurisdiction long back. However, the roads under PWD are yet to be repaired. And as far as repair work is concerned it will not get affected by the model code of conduct. The budget for such works is sanctioned instantly."
On the other hand, PWD minister Raj Kumar Chauhan said that the civic agencies should not play the blame game. "The concerned agency should repair the road in time. We held a meeting of senior PWD officials three days back. All the damged roads will be repaired soon," Chauhan, said.
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Delhi Golf Club Road |
Lajpat Nagar Flyover |
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Barakhamba Road |
Nizamuddin | | 
