GUWAHATI: Damaged road surfaces and recurring potholes at both approaches of the Rupkonwar Jyoti Prasad Agarwala Flyover, connecting the Athgaon area to the Panbazar overbridge along the AT Road, continues to pose risks to commuters, with locals and commuters questioning the effectiveness of repeated repair works on one of the city's busiest traffic corridors.
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The site consists large damaged patches, uneven road surfaces and potholes near the approaching points of the flyover. The deteriorating condition forces commuters, particularly two-wheeler riders, to slow down suddenly or manoeuvre around the damaged sections amid heavy traffic.
According to traffic officials stationed in the area, the problem has persisted despite multiple repair attempts.
"This pothole keeps reappearing even after repairs. The reason could be the movement of heavy-duty water tankers and commercial trucks on the flyover during the night. At times, we traffic officials fill the potholes with sand as a temporary measure, but nothing seems to work," a traffic official told GPlus.
The flyover serves as a key route connecting several parts of Guwahati and witnesses a constant flow of school buses, commercial vehicles, two-wheelers and private cars throughout the day. With the damaged stretches located at critical merging points, commuters say the risk of accidents remains high.
A local shopkeeper said,"This pothole appears every now and then. Since this is a busy stretch, there is always a risk of an accident whenever a two-wheeler tries to get onto the flyover."
GPlus attempted to contact officials of the Public Works Department (PWD) regarding the issue. However, no response was received at the time of filing this report.
The issue is not new. GPlus had earlier reported on the deteriorating condition of the road at the flyover approaches. However, months later, the damaged sections continue to persist, raising concerns about the quality of repairs and the need for a more durable solution.
For many commuters, the recurring potholes have become a symbol of a larger urban infrastructure challenge, where temporary fixes often fail to withstand the pressure of heavy traffic, leaving road users to navigate the same hazards repeatedly.