Gujarat CM Orders Urgent Road Repairs Amid Monsoon Damage

Gandhinagar, Gujarat – As Gujarat reels under the impact of heavy monsoon rains, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Monday chaired a high-level emergency meeting in Gandhinagar to address the worsening condition of roads, bridges, and highways across the state. The Chief Minister issued strict directives for immediate repairs and warned against waiting for rains to stop before starting patchwork operations.

“We cannot afford to waste even a single dry day. Repair work must continue even on holidays in the interest of the people,” said CM Bhupendra Patel, urging swift action from municipal bodies and departments.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi, Advisor S.S. Rathore, and senior officials from the Road Construction Department, NHAI, Urban Development, and Municipal Corporations. Commissioners from across the state joined via video conference.

Dilapidated Roads Spark Public Outrage

From rural villages to major cities like Surat, complaints of pothole-ridden roads and broken bridges have surged following the early onset of the monsoon. Motorists face daily struggles navigating dangerous potholes and waterlogged underpasses. Despite temporary embankments, repeated rainfall renders repairs ineffective.

“The roads in Surat are worse than ever. Every rainstorm leaves new potholes. Authorities put mud and gravel, but it washes away the next day,” said Ramesh Solanki, a daily commuter in Bhestan.

Instructions to Fast-Track Repairs, Fix Contractor Accountability

In the meeting, CM Patel emphasized holding contractors accountable for damage occurring within the defect liability period and ensuring high-quality repair work. The CM also instructed that inter-agency coordination between NHAI, Panchayats, Municipal Corporations, and State Departments be strengthened.

“Waterlogging, asphalt damage, broken drains and bridges—every issue must be responded to on a war footing,” the CM said. A 24×7 control room at Nirman Bhavan, Gandhinagar, has been tasked with directing engineers and monitoring repair progress.

243 Bridges Under Repair, 83 Km of NH Damaged

In a presentation by the Road Construction Department, it was revealed that 243 bridges were currently under maintenance or diversion due to monsoon damage. NHAI officials informed the CM that out of the 83 km of damaged National Highways, 58 km has already been repaired, and the remaining 25 km work is underway.

₹107 Crore Sanctioned for Road Repairs in 149 Municipalities

To accelerate repair and resurfacing efforts, the Gujarat government has approved ₹107 crore under the Swarnim Jayanti Chief Minister’s Urban Development Scheme. The grant will cover 149 municipalities, allocated based on their category:

₹37 crore to 37 ‘A’ category municipalities (₹1 crore each)

₹27 crore to 34 ‘B’ category municipalities (₹80 lakh each)

₹36 crore to 61 ‘C’ category municipalities (₹60 lakh each)

₹6.8 crore to 17 ‘D’ category municipalities (₹40 lakh each)

The funds will be distributed via the Gujarat Urban Development Mission, allowing municipalities to initiate road restoration immediately.

A Call for Long-Term Urban Planning

While addressing the short-term crisis, the Chief Minister also called for long-term urban planning to prevent recurrence. This includes proper drainage design, durable materials for road construction, and structured maintenance frameworks.

With the monsoon season expected to intensify, public patience is running thin, and the spotlight is now firmly on state machinery to deliver timely, durable solutions.

“Roads are public lifelines. We must ensure they remain safe, even during the harshest rains,” CM Patel said.