TAXILA: A road rehabilitated at a cost of Rs49 million has begun crumbling within days of its inauguration, exposing what residents described as substandard construction.
The Sukko Mehsiyaan–Taxila city road, touted as a milestone in rural connectivity at its inauguration on February 5, 2026, is now reportedly riddled with cracks, surface erosion and a dysfunctional drainage system.
The project was launched with the aim of providing better travelling facilities to people living in rural areas and improving connectivity between villages and the city. Officials described it as a significant step towards enhancing local infrastructure. However, emerging ground realities appear to contrast sharply with those claims.
It has been observed that visible deterioration began to emerge as the road surface started peeling off at multiple points, cracks appeared and the drainage system failed to function effectively, particularly after minor rainfall.
Residents and local sources alleged that the construction process lacked proper supervision with some work reportedly carried out during night hours.
They alleged that the project may have been compromised by irregularities during execution. They claimed that construction work was carried out under inadequate supervision with some portions reportedly completed at night, raising concerns about transparency and compliance with prescribed engineering standards.
According to official records, approximately 455 tonnes of asphalt were allocated for the project. However, preliminary estimates by local people suggested that significantly less material may have been used, though these claims could not be independently verified.
Engineering experts note that roads of this category require a multi-layer asphalt structure, proper compaction and an efficient drainage system to ensure durability. In this case, they say there are indications that required thickness and layering standards may not have been fully observed, while the absence or the inadequacy of a drainage channel has further weakened the road’s foundation.
When contacted, Chief Officer Municipal Committee Taxila Gulshan Noreen said the project was launched and supervised by the local government department and that the municipal committee had nothing to do with it.
Senior Sub-Engineer Punjab Local Government Munawar Hussain confirmed that some potholes appeared in the road; however, he attributed it to climatic factors, especially persistent prolonged rainfall and overflowing drains.
He added that the project had not yet been completed and no payment made to the contractor. He claimed that quality control procedures were followed as per departmental requirements and that any defects would be rectified in accordance with contractual obligations.
Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2026
