By Sunil Sonker
Mussoorie, 26 Oct: The Mall Road, here, once known for its elegance, is today suffering from chaos and neglect. Despite spending crores of rupees, the road’s condition remains deplorable. Waterlogging, clogged drains, and damaged iron chambers have now become a hazard not only for locals but also for tourists.
According to sources, the government has spent over 7 crore rupees on the beautification and road construction of the Mall Road. The work was carried out through the Public Works Department, but defects in the construction have now raised serious questions about the department’s performance. Many parts of Mall Road experience heavy waterlogging every time it rains. In many places, drains are completely blocked. Locals say that no concrete arrangements have been made for cleaning of the drains. As a result, pedestrians face inconvenience due to waterlogging on the road. The iron chambers on Mall Road are getting damaged every day. On Sunday, a car’s wheel got stuck in one such damaged chamber near the Chic Chocolate area. Bystanders pulled the car out with great difficulty. Fortunately, no major accident occurred. Gurpreet Singh, a tourist from Delhi, said that his car’s tyre got damaged after getting stuck in the chamber’s lid. He said, “If no action is taken in time, a major accident could occur one day. The government should pay immediate attention to this.”
Local traders and residents allege that they have repeatedly informed Public Works Department officials about the issue, but each time they have received only assurances. According to local public representatives, complaints were also taken to the SDM-Mussoorie and the Public Works Department, but no concrete action has been taken to date. One trader expressed his displeasure, saying, “This department is under Satpal Maharaj, yet the officials are not even bothering to visit the site to assess the situation.” “If the roads are in this condition despite spending crores of rupees, it’s a waste of public money.” He said that Mall Road is considered the identity of Mussoorie and a centre of tourism. However, potholes, damaged roads, and waterlogging have tarnished the city’s beauty. This is also impacting tourist numbers. Local hoteliers say that many tourists are returning with negative experiences due to the poor roads. Locals say that, if repairs are not carried out soon, they will be forced to protest and demonstrate.
