SORRY STATE OF AFFAIRS: A road at Kalyan Nagar in pathetic condition. — Photo: G. Krishnaswamy.

HYDERABAD: The bruised and battered condition of city roads since August and the MCH's inability to take up the much-needed repair works on a war footing is getting on the nerves of the public.

Roads in almost all major colonies need urgent repairs and members of various residential welfare organisations point out that they are least bothered about the so-called `stand-off' between the MCH and road repair contractors on the contract rate issue.

"Monsoon has come and gone and people have already forgotten about it. In a few months from now, monsoon will again make an appearance. Will the MCH officials wait for the next monsoon season to end before taking up the repair works?" asks K. Raghavan, a member of Snehapuri Residential Welfare Association.

Raw materials

The explanation of MCH officials that the contractors are demanding a hike in rates of repair works because of increase in the prices of raw materials has not gone down well with the public.

"Seriously thinking, during TDP's regime, things were not this bad. Under TDP, the MCH staff used to maintain the roads and sanitation well. It is a pity that MCH officials did not pre-empt this problem of increased rates of raw materials," says K. Ramlinga Murty, a member of Maredpally Residential Welfare Association.

MCH officials claim that they are amidst talks with the contractors and municipal administration. "We have sent detailed proposals to municipal administration and hopefully they would give us permission to take up the works as soon as possible. However, one must accept that this year, we are definitely behind schedule in taking up repairs," an MCH official from the Engineering wing said.

2,250 kilometres

There are about 2,250 kilometres of roads that are under the jurisdiction of the MCH in the twin cities, while another 180 kilometres is under the Roads and Buildings department.

"Roughly put, the damaged roads would be 40 to 50 per cent of the 2,250 kilometres. This is a huge work and hopefully we would be able to start the repair works soon," the official said.

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