‘No option but to use poor materials': Rs 123 crore spent on Jaipur roads damaged in 2 days of rain; engineers blame fund crunch, unplanned cuts, drainage flaws

Time of India

23-06-2025

JAIPUR: Over Rs 123 crore spent by Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) and the two civic bodies—Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) Greater and Heritage—on repairing city roads in the past five months has gone to waste with just two days of rainfall.
Engineers stated that the major causes of potholes and craters, even on newly constructed or renovated city roads, include poor quality materials due to fund shortages, unplanned road cut permissions by the zonal DC office, and lack of adequate drainage systems alongside roads.
Speaking to TOI, a JDA contractor said although JDA determines the govt-approved rate while floating the tenders, the actual payment is far less than the tender value.
He claimed that for several reasons, they are compelled to spend only around 40% to 60% of the rate mentioned in the tender.
"We have no other option than to use less or poor quality materials. On June 13, Urban Development and Housing (UDH) department issued a revised circular for the rate chart for the restoration of road cuts applicable for the entire state. Already, the 'middlemen' have started negotiation over the higher tariff," the contractor stated on conditions of anonymity.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Top 5 Dividend Stocks with Growth Potential in 2025
Seeking Alpha
Read More
Undo
JDA engineers claimed that another major problem is the unplanned way of giving permits for road cuts. If a road cut is not restored before the monsoon season, water accumulated on the dug section would weaken the surface of the entire road and may create potholes or craters on the adjacent surfaces.
The deadline of June 15, after which a road cut is not permitted till Aug, has been declared "irrational" by a section of engineers, as it takes at least three months to allocate funds, float tenders, and issue a work order to restore even a mere 100-metre stretch.
"One should understand road cuts restorations are not included in the list of warranties under the defect liabilities. We follow the same procedure for restorations that we follow for the construction of a new road. Ideally, the govt should bring down this restriction from April till Aug, so that we get time to restore the road cuts before monsoon sets in. But which agency would like to work for only seven months in a year?" a senior engineer questioned.
JDA commissioner Anandhi was not available for her views, while the two engineer directors of JDA refused to comment.