First rain exposes poor road repairs; commuters troubled by potholes on Tawi bridges.

The first heavy monsoon rain in Jammu has exposed the hollowness of claims regarding road repairs. Deep potholes have emerged at various points on the bridges over the Tawi River, causing significant trouble for motorists and pedestrians. Locals allege that repair and patch-work had been carried out on these bridges recently, yet the road surface disintegrated after just the first spell of rain, creating large potholes in several places.

Thousands of vehicles passing through daily are forced to endure a bumpy ride due to these potholes. The situation is particularly hazardous for two-wheeler riders. Residents have demanded that the concerned department carry out immediate repairs and investigate the quality of the roadwork.

Poor Road Condition Exposed by First Rain

Following the onset of the monsoon in Jammu, the asphalt on the Tawi bridges peeled off in several places. This resulted in deep potholes, disrupting the flow of traffic.

Local citizens state that had the repair work been executed with proper quality standards, the road would not have deteriorated so quickly after the very first rain.

Inconvenience to Motorists

A large number of private vehicles, buses, trucks, and two-wheelers cross the Tawi bridges daily. Due to the potholes:

• Vehicles are forced to slow down.
• Traffic jams are occurring.
• The risk of accidents for two-wheeler riders has increased.
• There is a likelihood of damage to vehicle suspensions and tires.

Many commuters reported experiencing constant jolts while crossing the bridges, making the journey uncomfortable.

Questions Raised About Repair Work

Locals and social organizations have questioned the quality of the road repairs. They point out that government funds were recently spent on patch-work, yet the repairs failed to withstand even the first rain.

Residents have demanded:

• An investigation into the quality of road construction and repair.
• Accountability to be fixed for the responsible agency. Repairs should be carried out to provide a permanent solution.

Expectations from the administration and the concerned department

While a detailed official response from the concerned department is awaited, locals hope that the damaged sections will be repaired soon so that traffic flow can return to normal.

If repairs are not carried out promptly, the situation could worsen due to the ongoing rainy season.

Increased risk during the rains

According to experts, when potholes fill with water during the rain, it becomes difficult to gauge their depth. This increases the risk of accidents, particularly for:

Two-wheeler riders.
Those traveling at night.
Drivers of heavy vehicles.

Motorists are therefore advised to drive cautiously and at a controlled speed.

Demand for a permanent solution

Local residents state that this problem recurs every year during the monsoon. They believe that instead of temporary patchwork, the road requires robust and durable repairs to spare the public from repeated inconvenience.