Delhi PWD repairs more than 3,400 potholes in a day; minister says historic

New Delhi: The Delhi government filled 3,433 potholes in the city in a day, officials on Tuesday with Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Parvesh Verma terming the fete a "commitment to end the cycle of delays and excuses".

The campaign to fill over 3,400 potholes by the PWD, began early in the morning and was completed by evening, said Verma who visited several locations to oversee the work.

"Today a historic initiative has started across Delhi. This wasn't just a pothole repair mission, it was a commitment to end the cycle of delays and excuses. Every pothole filled was a message that delivery is possible when the intent is honest," the minister said.

Just before the onset of the monsoon in the city, PWD pressed around 200 maintenance vans and 1,000 workers and officials into the campaign across the national capital.

Several ministers and the BJP MLAs hailed the government's initiative and posted pictures on social media of pothole repair work going on in their constituencies.

"These potholes have been damaging the roads for the past several years. Hence, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta took this decision that in one day 3,400 potholes will be filled," Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa told reporters.

Officials said joint teams of the PWD, Delhi Development Authority, and National Highways Authority of India were already active in areas facing waterlogging and working collaboratively to address long-standing issues.

"This initiative by the Delhi government marks a crucial step in providing the citizens of the capital with safe, seamless, and improved commuting facilities.

"For the first time, Delhi is fully prepared for the monsoon. A high-intensity campaign is underway to clean sewers and drains on a war footing," Development Minister Kapil Mishra said.

The PWD earlier identified and geo-tagged all potholes across its 17 road divisions and uploaded the information on its website.