This is the third post in this series on the Election Manifesto

Good Quality Roads  

What is the current position?

We have to acknowledge that there is a significant improvement in the quality of the highways in general. We must thank the government and its agencies for this significant improvement. Broadly there are three categories of roads Highways (National or State), Main Roads and Avenues and then Streets. The last two, in general, may be maintained by the Municipal/local bodies. Let us focus mainly on the City, Town level local body maintained roads. Once a road is laid or re laid, and then it may have pot holes or need repairs. This is where the problem arises. The key question why does a road have pot holes or need repairs? Quality of the road is the main challenge. Second even if there is a repair needed, the time it takes to repair may be quite long. During this time the citizens have a tough time in walking or driving and the resultant problems. Further because of the quality challenge, the cost of maintaining the road seems to be high. Further roads are routinely cut by other agencies like water, drainage, electricity etc. and this creates further challenges. This is not a comfortable position to be in.

What do we want?

All categories of roads must be built with the highest quality, should need very little maintenance, and when there is a repair, it is repaired immediately. So at any time all the roads in the country must be in good condition. This will make life easier, will reduce costs.

What needs to be done?

In today's world most people spend considerable time on the roads. So it is important that they are in good condition which will ease the life of citizens. For this first and foremost, quality of roads being built/repaired must be of the highest order. This itself will solve bulk of the issues. Secondly, there must be a rule and commitment that any road which needs repair will be repaired with in say 24-48 hours, again with quality guaranteed. The need for repairs itself must be reduced significantly. It is possible.