Cracks appear on Taxila road days after Rs49m project opening

TAXILA: A road in Taxila that was rehabilitated at a cost of Rs49 million has started showing signs of damage within days of its inauguration, prompting complaints from residents about the quality of the work.

The Sukko Mehsiyaan–Taxila city road was inaugurated on February 5, 2026, and was presented at the time as an important project for improving travel facilities for people in rural areas and strengthening links between villages and the city. Officials had described the scheme as a key step for local infrastructure development.

However, the condition of the road has since raised concerns. The surface has begun to peel away at several points, cracks have appeared, and the drainage system is not functioning properly, particularly after light rain.

Residents alleged that the construction was substandard and said the work was not properly supervised. They also claimed that some portions of the project were completed during night hours, which they said raised questions about transparency and adherence to engineering standards. Local sources further alleged that irregularities may have affected the execution of the project.

According to official records cited in the report, around 455 tonnes of asphalt were allocated for the scheme. Preliminary estimates by local residents suggested that the quantity actually used may have been much lower, although those claims could not be independently verified.

Concerns over construction standards

Engineering experts said roads of this type require a multi-layer asphalt structure, proper compaction and an effective drainage system to remain durable. In this case, they said there were signs that the required thickness and layering standards may not have been fully followed. They also said the absence, or inadequacy, of a drainage channel appeared to have further weakened the road’s base.

The road’s deterioration became visible soon after completion, with cracks, surface erosion and drainage-related problems emerging on the rehabilitated stretch.

Officials respond

When contacted, Chief Officer Municipal Committee Taxila Gulshan Noreen said the project had been launched and supervised by the local government department and that the municipal committee was not involved in it.

Senior Sub-Engineer Punjab Local Government Munawar Hussain acknowledged that some potholes had appeared on the road, but said this was due to climatic conditions, particularly prolonged rainfall and overflowing drains. He added that the project had not yet been completed and no payment made to the contractor.

Munawar Hussain also said quality control procedures had been followed in line with departmental requirements and maintained that any defects would be addressed under the terms of the contract.

The road had been promoted as a milestone in rural connectivity, but the early appearance of cracks and other defects has led to questions from residents over the durability of the newly rehabilitated route.