The Nashik unit of Maharashtra Public Works Department (PWD) has asked for Rs 35 crore from the state government to fill the potholes on 3,500 km length of roads in the rural areas. The rainfall has been unpredictable and damaged the roads causing difficulties for motorists driving in rural areas. Major cases of road damage are observed in the hilly regions of the district like in Surgana, Dindori, Trimbakeshwar, Igatpuri, Kalwan and Peth talukas. The condition in the other areas such as Deola, Satana, Chandwad, Nandgaon is also not good as they experienced heavy rainfall than usual. The PWD began repairing roads with temporary steps— by mostly utilising murum (soil) — to cut down the severity of potholes and assure mobility to some extent, where the roads have been severely damaged. The officer told the media that during the monsoon season, the heavy vehicles utilised for transportation of agricultural produce and others on damaged roads only worsens the situation. To assure motorable roads, they depend on temporary measures only as ‘tar’ cannot be utilised in wet conditions. The work has already commenced. Prashant Sonawane, the superintendent officer of PWD, Nashik, told the media that over 3,500 km of road length has been damaged of the 6000 km of roads under the PWD. The work has commenced at a very slow speed for two reasons, lack of funds and the present weather condition. Since they get dry patches and hot weather, they will be able to utilise ‘tar’ for the better repair of the roads. Presently, the rain is destroying the work done. But, as the rain stops, the speed of the work will pick up. He said that they require around Rs 35 crore to maintain and repair these roads in the district. Image Source Also read: Mumbai Mayor asks BMC to repair all potholes within 10 days