Newly built road melts due to heat in Ahmedabad, questions raised

Ahmedabad, a city known for its intense summer heat, has begun experiencing extreme temperatures in the very first half of March this year. With the mercury crossing 40°C, the rising heat is not only affecting daily life but is also starting to impact the city’s infrastructure.

In the Khokhra area of East Ahmedabad, a newly constructed road has begun melting due to the heat, raising questions about the quality of civic work.

In the Gujarat Housing Board area of Khokhra ward, a nearly three-quarter kilometre stretch from Subhash Chowk crossroads to Hatkeshwar Shani Maharaj Temple had a new road laid just two months ago during January-February. To make the road stronger and smoother, an additional layer of asphalt was applied.

However, with temperatures rising at the beginning of summer, the asphalt has started melting and surfacing, creating problems for people using the road.

Due to the intense heat, the melted asphalt has become sticky, causing pedestrians’ slippers to stick to the road surface while walking. Dust particles and single-use plastic waste flying on the road are also sticking to the melted asphalt, making the newly built road appear damaged already.

Vehicle drivers are also facing difficulties as the road has become slippery and uneven, making driving risky.

Such incidents usually occur during the peak summer months of May, but the asphalt melting as early as March has surprised residents. Locals believe that apart from the heat, the quality of materials used in constructing the road may also be responsible.

Residents have expressed concern that if this is the situation already, the condition of Ahmedabad’s roads during April and May could worsen significantly.