Devendra Kumar Budakoti
Roads in India are, more often than not, in a poor state of construction and maintenance. Frustrated road users routinely curse the system and the corruption they believe is deeply entrenched in it. In discussing this, I spoke with my friend Dr. Dinesh Sati, an eminent geologist with vast experience on major projects across the Himalayan region. He summed it up aptly:
“Jab tak road kacchi, tab tak naukri pakki.”
(“As long as roads remain poorly built, the jobs remain secure.”)
His point reflects a deeper malaise. It’s widely whispered that 30–40% of contract money is siphoned off to “grease the system” and expedite approvals. This perhaps explains why certain departments and ministries are often referred to as “malai-dar” — the “creamy” or lucrative ones. In such an ecosystem, expecting high-quality roads and consistent maintenance becomes wishful thinking. Frequent tenders for repair and reconstruction become the norm, ensuring a continuous cycle of substandard work.
While natural calamities are often cited as the main reason for damage—especially in vulnerable regions like the Himalayas—it’s important to ask: how do many European nations, despite facing heavy snow and rainfall, manage to maintain roads that are largely robust and durable?
Let’s consider the tragic human and material loss witnessed during disasters in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. While certain natural events—like flash floods or landslides—are unavoidable, the lack of proper disaster mitigation and preparedness at the ground level raises serious questions.
This monsoon, many of the damaged buildings in the affected areas were found to be illegal or unapproved constructions—built precariously along riverbeds, on unstable slopes, or in ecologically sensitive zones. These structures had existed for years, despite lacking approval, because:
“Jab tak nirman gair-kanooni, tab tak rahegi kar vasooli.”
(“As long as construction is illegal, the collection of bribes will continue.”)
These illegal constructions gained prominence in media coverage, particularly on social media, during the disaster. However, once the immediate rescue and relief operations began, the issue of unapproved structures was largely pushed aside. Such constructions are rarely possible without the active complicity—or passive indifference—of local authorities. From inception to completion, a chain of informal payments ensures the system remains silent—until disaster strikes.
What’s even more worrying is that such unauthorized buildings exist even in areas where monsoon-related disasters may not occur, but which remain extremely vulnerable to earthquakes or other forms of calamity.
India’s roads and transport infrastructure are vital pillars of national development. The only significant progress in recent years has been the development of our national highway network. But the larger reality remains grim. The proliferation of illegal structures not only contributes to loss of life and property, but also causes immense economic damage—particularly to the tourism sector in states like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
It’s high time we take serious note of the unchecked rise of unauthorized constructions, especially those masked under the guise of promoting tourism. Unless we adopt strong corrective measures, we risk not only undermining public safety but also stifling the potential of tourism to boost local economies and provide employment to the youth.
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The author is a sociologist and has been active in the development sector for nearly four decades.
