Surat: Large potholes, damaged road surfaces and deteriorating sections of flyovers have emerged across Surat during the monsoon, creating safety risks for commuters. A 26-year-old motorcyclist died after crashing into a pothole near his home, while civic authorities say repairs are ongoing across the city.With each spell of rain, several city roads have become difficult to navigate. Residents say deep potholes and craters on key stretches are posing risks to motorists and pedestrians, with two-wheeler riders particularly vulnerable to accidents and vehicle damage.A 26-year-old resident of Godadara, Sandeep Yadav, died during treatment at SMIMER Hospital on Monday after an accident near his residence. Yadav was riding his motorcycle near Mansarovar Society on Sunday night when he hit a pothole and fell. He suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital, where he later died.
City roads in very bad condition after heavy rain in Surat
The problem extends beyond surface roads. Sections of several flyovers and bridges have developed damage, with concrete chipped away in places and reinforcement bars exposed, raising safety concerns among commuters.Traffic congestion has intensified near major infrastructure projects, including the metro corridor and the proposed multimodal transport hub. Barricaded construction zones have narrowed road space, while damaged and uneven carriageways have slowed vehicles. Frequent movement of heavy vehicles on these stretches further affect road conditions, leading to long queues during peak hours.On Tuesday, Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) teams carried out pothole repairs over 3,517 square metres, using 883 metric tonnes of material. Civic officials said repairs were undertaken at 30 locations as part of the monsoon maintenance drive.Officials said persistent rain limits the effectiveness of patchwork repairs. Work carried out on wet or waterlogged surfaces often fails to bind properly and may deteriorate quickly. They said full-scale repairs are usually taken up in a dry spell of five to seven days for better results.Officials also said several flyovers underwent major repairs in recent years, though damage has resurfaced at some locations. “There are various reasons due to which the roads get damaged. Heavy rain in a short period makes the problem big,” a civic official said.SMC has introduced cement concrete roads and polymer cement mix roads on selected stretches to improve durability. Most roads in the city, however, continue to be asphalt, which is more susceptible to damage during heavy rain.“Attempts are being made to work out development methods that helps to make the road durable for longer period,” an official said.
