Published On : Sun, Aug 4th, 2013

Rain fury leaves City citizens battle deadly potholes, cracked roads

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Nagpur News : What is wrong with NMC Administration? Why they neglect the poor quality of roads constructed by the contractors? At least, the NMC bosses could rein in the “money only” contractors as lives of citizens are at stake. Is it mandatory to indulge in corruption in every field?  Are the lives of citizens worthless? If the NMC officials, who have been armed with such an enormous powers, can tame the “greedy” contractors within minutes. However, it needs guts, will power, determination.  But the officials are “poor” as far as possession of these qualities are concerned!

Pothole on newly constructed Narendra Nagar ROB Pic:Sandeep Gurghate

The angry Mother Nature, after letting a hell break loose on the Orange City and turning it a city of watery woes, has left a trail of destruction and deaths.

The destruction is wide open in the form of dangerous potholes, cracks and no roads at all. Now, after undergoing (under 5-8 feet deep water)untold sufferings at the “hands” of Nature, the Nagpur citizens have been left to fight with road hazards.

The roads are now posing the life-threatening situations with dozens and dozens of roads being riddled with potholes waiting to swallow an unwary vehicle rider. Riding for a destination could prove a point of no return if the condition of roads is a yardstick. Traffic jams, fatal accidents taking place without a full stop.

However, the poor conditions of almost all roads have exposed the insensible, thick skinned and criminally negligent NMC bosses vis-à-vis people’s hardships. A mountain of complaints by the citizens, media, and social groups has failed to force the NMC authorities fall in line and do the wrong correct. Have the NMC officials gone blind? Is it not their duty to make the roads strong and sturdy to withstand the odds in whatever magnitude? No. They are not blind and unable to see the road conditions. They have been blinded by the heaps and heaps of crisp paper placed right in front of their eyes by the con contractors  thus affecting the vision of rightful duty and responsibility towards the citizens. An eight-year old boy died a painful death when he was sucked into the whirlpool of an open manhole. Still dozens of manholes are open to swallow an innocent kid.

The rains have not only exposed the roads of danger but corruption, and corruption, and corruption. And, of course, the publicity stunts by holding meetings and then resorting to the tall talks of “readiness” to avert and tackle “any risky” situation. Once the stunt is accomplished by hogging the limelight with catchy headlines in the media, the job is complete. Everything is in record for the sake of only record in the files of concerned top officials.

The Fire Brigade personnel, who are honest, dutiful and brave, are also victims of red-tape. Their “war cry” doesn’t reach the deaf ears of bosses. This red-tape binds the Fire Brigade personnel when it comes to rescue and relief operations. The acute shortage of personnel, the “weak” powerful pumps to flush out flooded water, and other “hi-tech” equipments resulted in utter failure to respond to the calls of help.

WHY NOT BE STRONG:

What is wrong with NMC Administration? Why they neglect the poor quality of roads constructed by the contractors? At least, the NMC bosses could rein in the “money only” contractors as lives of citizens are at stake. Is it mandatory to indulge in corruption in every field?  Are the lives of citizens worthless? If the NMC officials, who have been armed with such an enormous powers, can tame the “greedy” contractors within minutes. However, it needs guts, will power, determination.  But the officials are “poor” as far as possession of these qualities are concerned!

Several road accidents have reported since past 10-15 days most of them could be blamed to the bad roads. Unfortunately, many lost lives. Many were seriously injured bodily and financially, too.

Another, deadliest exposure, apart from the dangerous roads, is in the form of more and more deadlier diseases. Gastro. Jaundice. Typhoid. Cholera. Malaria.  Dengue. The water logged in potholes or at any other watery place is “heaven” for mosquitoes, flies, and other insects. And they breed dreaded diseases in the “heaven” and, subsequently, pass on to human beings. The diseases claim hundreds of lives every monsoon. And the fault lies only with the NMC. Had the NMC bosses taken care of all these ills, lives of hundreds could have been saved from the clutches potholes, and, diseases, too.