Monsoon Exposes System’s Mismanagement

By: Aug 12th, 2017 12:21 am

Karam Singh ThakurKaram Singh Thakur

(The writer is based at Sundernagar, Mandi)

The monsoon season is at its peak with greenery visible all around charming every heart and soul. Himachal Pradesh has a special tag of hill state due to its geographic location. It definitely benefits the state and citizens in some perspectives. But on the other hand also throws tough challenges to its residents throughout the year. Problems that Himachali people confront because of nature could be well understood during monsoon season. The roads, paths and other modes of transport so severely affect human life during monsoon season in Himachal that it presents an unprepared and underdeveloped image of the state. Rains are creating havoc daily in Himachal with cloudbursts, lightening, landslides and flashfloods claiming human, animal and material loss. But what is more surprising is the failure of government machinery during this period.

Potholes and heavy water stocked on roads, accumulation of mud and soil in drains make the daily commute a tough challenge every day. Besides this landslides, sinking roads and washing away of bridges makes one unsure of its safe return to home. Daily one or some other Himachali is losing life. And administration as usual is distributing helpline number and promises of providing all possible help. A fair analysis of ground facilities provided reveals that 90% population of Himachal becomes victim in monsoon season due to lethargic attitude of administration. The working of public works department (PWD) too does not emerge as any relief to citizens during this period.

The government exchequer worth in crores is spent on metalling and maintenance of roads. But everyone is aware of nonchalant behaviour of PWD. Ineligible and corrupt contractors make so much corruption in roads construction work that retaining walls collapse in only one monsoon season, drainage system chokes and potholes takes over the road everywhere in the state. This does not happens sometimes, but it occurs every time. And we cannot blame contractor only for this mess. The whole machinery is involved in this corruption game. Himachal witnessed huge tourists influx this summers with religious destinations like Kangra, Chamunda, Jwalaji and Chintpurni totally jam packed. But what we have done for these tourists? Roads are broken, mountains are sliding and long traffic jams are making their trip an unforgettable experience. What is the use of wasting budget worth of crores if the system created cannot sustain even one monsoon shower? Time is the most essential commodity in modern fast paced life. Which tourists would like to come here if half of his holidays time planned goes in commuting state roads alone.     Ignorance of such mismanagement by administration will affect the economy of the state too. There is no denying the fact that we cannot fight nature, but we can prepare ourselves to minimise disaster aftereffects.

विवाह प्रस्ताव की तलाश कर रहे हैं ? भारत मैट्रीमोनी में निःशुल्क रजिस्टर करें !


Keep watching our YouTube Channel ‘Divya Himachal TV’. Also,  Download our Android App