Vijayawada: Potholes pose threat to people

Vijayawada: Potholes formed on city roads due to huge rains are claiming the lives of motorists. Accidental death of a daily labourer P. Srinu after entering into a pothole at inner ring road near Kabela centre on Thursday night has highlighted the issue. Around Rs 90 crore spent by Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) in developing 1264 km internal roads in city proved to be a big failure as potholes re occurred even before a year of completion of the works.

Journey on city roads has become horrible with internal roads maintained by VMC  filled with potholes. Minor accidents have become common. Deccan Chronicle has highlighted the poor condition of roads. But officials have ignore the situation considering the rainy season. “Crores spent by the VMC went into the pockets of contractors and roads remained in pathetic condition. Des-pite huge traffic diversions made through residential areas in Vidya-dharapuram  for Kana-kadurga flyover works, roads were left in a pathetic condition whi-ch is claiming the lives of citizens. The VMC is responsible for the death of Srinu,” says G. Koteswara Rao, former corporator of Kabela area.

Condition of 12 km National Highway passing through the city is the same with huge potholes from Enikepadu to Ramavarappadu whi-ch are creating problems to the commuters. Despite Chief Minister and other VIPs’ movement towards the airport on the same roads, officials have left the road without repairs for months. People are urging the civic body and R&B department to restore the roads by filling potholes. A demand on taking action on roads contractors who failed to maintain quality in Pushkara works is increasing from the opposition parties.