Roads riddled with potholes, cracks vex Pindiites

Pindiites living along the Airport Road have complained that a pothole at the U-turn near Faisal Town is damaging their motor vehicles.

Ejaz Naqvi, a motorist says: “Proper road maintenance throughout the city is a must. The Airport Road is not the only road with potholes. Almost all the roads need maintenance. The concerned department needs to act.”

“The Airport Road is one of the busiest roads used by many people to enter or exit twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. If the pothole is not covered, it might result in an accident,” says Asghar Abbas living in Gulzar-e-Quaid.

“The city fathers should fill them up as having potholes on the city’s main road gives it a bad image. Many visitors pass through it, and having poor roads infrastructure is not good for the image of the town. The main road should not look like that,” says Wahid Hussain from Faisal Town.

“The authorities need a permanent solution to the problem because the potholes have been visible for too long on several roads of the city. We cannot handle the damage on our cars anymore,” added Ejaz.

“There are concerns about the state of the current road surfaces. When hit hardest by the rain, water collects at the lowest point of the roads thus leaving the roads at that point in a poor state.  Such roads are an increasing hazard for drivers, especially for bikers, as standing water hides some of the potholes,” says Samar Hasan living in Airport Housing Society.

“Specific surveys may be carried out from time to time to address specific areas of concern. Results of these various analyses can be used to establish commuters’ areas of concern,” adds Samar.

“Potholes of all shapes and sizes continue to plague roads across the city. The concerned authorities have been rushing to make repairs. They use some tons of pothole patch material every year. Despite their efforts, there are still many cracks and depressions plaguing the main roads and by-lanes,” says Qurban Ali from Fazal Town.

“While cars and trucks can usually absorb the shock of a pothole, bikes are more vulnerable. If you hit a deep enough hole and it throws you off balance, you are going over. If you get a knockout on a bike you are going down.  Unlike vehicle drivers, bikers have no protection in a crash or fall. When you get thrown from a bike, you are at the mercy of whatever is around you, the curb, the tree, the truck, a car,” adds Qurban.

Haider Reza from Mangraal Town says, “In addition to potholes, there also is a lot of water on the roads from rains, another hazard to bikers. A few weeks ago, I was riding a bike when I hit one of the holes. I came really close to going down and possibly getting hit by other bike behind me. At the same time, bikers have to be careful how they react to road conditions. If they swerve to avoid a problem, they risk colliding with another rider or vehicle.”

Ali Akbar, a city official says: “We are aware of the potholes, and are not sitting on the situation. We constantly try to resolve the problem, but there are levels of potholes. The worst affected areas are being prioritised. We will start to get the majority done, but there will still be appearing potholes as there is hardly a road without potholes.”

Article source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/220900-Roads-riddled-with-potholes-cracks-vex-Pindiites