Chandigarh is known as a ‘Smart City’ and the ‘City Beautiful.’ While it is true that the city was planned and established in a highly systematic manner, the current situation raises questions about the functioning of the officials. The roads are in a dilapidated state. Bus stops in several sectors, including Sector 31, are waterlogged; waiting for buses amidst the accumulated filthy water has become a nightmare for commuters.
Meanwhile, the vegetable market in Sector 26 is covered in mud. The conditions are so bad that one would not even want to step there—let alone muster the courage to buy vegetables. The High Court has already issued orders to improve the management of this market, yet the situation remains unchanged due to the negligence of officials.
Just two days of rain have exposed the city’s poor infrastructure. Blocked drainage outlets in several areas, including Sector 45, have caused the roads themselves to break down. The monsoon season has only just begun; one can easily gauge what the situation might be like in the coming days just by looking at the images. Residents are facing immense trouble, while officials remain confined to their air-conditioned offices, limiting their efforts to mere planning.
