The Municipal Corporation (MC) of Patiala has come under severe criticism after road recarpeting work was carried out during rain on Saturday near Nabha Road, Leela Bhawan Road, and Urban Estate. Residents recorded videos of the work and uploaded them on social media, where they quickly went viral, prompting authorities to take action.
Mayor Orders Inquiry
Taking cognisance of the incident, Mayor Kundan Gogia ordered an inquiry into the matter. Gogia stated that contractors would be summoned on Monday to explain the circumstances under which the work was carried out. A technical committee will also be constituted to inspect the quality and durability of the newly recarpeted roads, he added.
Residents Express Outrage
Residents termed the recarpeting exercise an eyewash and questioned the timing of the work. “What kind of development is this? Roads are being recarpeted in the middle of the monsoon. The surface will soon deteriorate, another tender will be floated and contractors as well as officials will again make money. This is nothing but daylight robbery of taxpayers’ money,” alleged city resident Taranjit Singh Kohli. Another resident described it as a deliberate waste of public funds.
Context and Background
The controversy comes at a time when Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, during a recent visit to Dirba, had urged people not to allow water to stagnate on roads. He had said that waterlogging was the primary cause of surface erosion and significantly reduced the lifespan of roads. The recarpeting during rain directly contradicts this advice, raising questions about the MC's planning and accountability.
Impact and Next Steps
The viral social media clips have put pressure on the Municipal Corporation to ensure transparency and prevent future mishaps. The technical committee's report will determine whether the recarpeted roads meet quality standards, and contractors may face penalties if found negligent. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about public works being carried out without due regard for weather conditions, leading to potential waste of taxpayer money.
