Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept. 12: A 25-km stretch of National Highway between Dasrathpur Sai Baba Temple and Thoratang Nallah Bridge has deteriorated again within weeks of repair work, prompting Shivapuram Panchayat Pradhan Venkateswar Rao to demand a technical inspection and complete bituminous resurfacing instead of another limited pothole-filling exercise.
In a representation to the Regional Officer of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), Sri Vijaya Puram, dated September 10, Rao said the road had developed extensive potholes, damaged surfaces, mud, waterlogging and slippery stretches despite repeated representations over its condition.
Rao said repair and maintenance work carried out by M/s Garg & Sons Estate Promoters Pvt. Ltd. was reportedly completed by the end of March 2026. According to his representation, the road again deteriorated severely within approximately a month, raising concerns over the quality of workmanship and materials, quantities executed and compliance with prescribed NH technical specifications.
The impact is particularly visible in travel time along the affected corridor, Rao said. A journey from Padmanabhapuram to Amkunj, Nimbutala, which earlier took about 10 minutes, now takes nearly 45 minutes because of the road condition.
The representation also raises concerns over the scope of the latest proposed repair work. Rao said that during the DISHA Committee meeting held on September 4 at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Mayabunder, under the chairmanship of Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray, he learned that M/s Bulliro Company (N.K. Singla Construction) had recently been entrusted with repair and maintenance of the stretch.
According to Rao, the meeting indicated that the proposed work could be restricted to pothole filling for ₹2 crore rather than complete bituminous black topping or resurfacing. He has opposed what he described in the representation as a temporary approach and sought restoration of the road to NH standards.
Rao has called for an immediate joint technical inspection of the entire 25-km stretch by competent NHIDCL officials. He has also sought a technical and qualitative assessment of the previous repair work, including the bill of quantities, executed quantities, material quality and workmanship.
He further requested NHIDCL to cancel the existing tender or work order through due technical and legal process if its scope is limited to temporary pothole filling, and issue a fresh tender or work order covering complete bituminous black topping and resurfacing of the entire stretch.
The Pradhan has also sought strict laboratory testing of materials and field supervision for ongoing and future works in accordance with NHIDCL and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways specifications. He said repeated repairs that fail within weeks could lead to avoidable expenditure without delivering a durable solution.
Rao warned that if the limited repair arrangement is not replaced, he may approach higher authorities and, in consultation with affected villagers, pursue a peaceful and lawful democratic protest, including at the NHIDCL Regional Office in Sri Vijaya Puram.
He has also sought a comprehensive investigation by competent agencies if any prima facie irregularity, substandard execution, false measurement, unauthorised deviation or misuse of public funds is established in the previous or current arrangements. His representation states that a CBI inquiry could also be sought if warranted under law.
Rao said the demand for complete restoration was being pursued in the larger public interest, with the representation seeking immediate intervention to address road safety, quality of execution and proper utilisation of public funds.
