Delhi Public Works Department Shatters Records with Massive Pothole Repairs
In a remarkable feat, the Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) announced it had fixed 3,433 potholes in a single day, surpassing its own target by 33 patches and claiming a new world record. The drive took place on Tuesday, covering an extensive 1,400 km stretch across the capital city.
Unprecedented Scale and Transparent Execution
PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh described the initiative as more than just a routine repair mission, calling it a commitment to end delays and excuses in public works delivery. Every pothole repair was meticulously documented with geo-tagged and time-stamped photographs, both before and after the work, ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the process.
Prior Benchmarks and Rigorous Preparation
Before this achievement, the record for most potholes fixed in a day was held by Pune, which managed to repair 989 potholes, followed by Vadodara with over 650 fixes in one day. The Delhi PWD effort more than tripled these numbers, highlighting a significant escalation in repair capacity and coordination.
Strategic and Coordinated Effort Across the City
The city was divided into three major zones—East, South, and North—with over 200 maintenance vans equipped with advanced machinery and high-quality materials. Teams of more than 1,000 personnel— including 70 assistant engineers, 150 junior engineers, and numerous workers and supervisors—conducted repairs throughout the day.
- Work was guided by data from resident complaints, drone surveys, and zonal inspections.
- Officials and elected representatives actively monitored progress in real time.
- The operation started early in the morning and extended into the evening to maximize coverage.
Monsoon-Ready Roads to Enhance Safety and Commute
With the monsoon season on the horizon, this massive repair drive is aimed at minimizing accidents, reducing waterlogging, and easing the discomfort of daily commuters. The PWD has committed to keeping the maintenance vans operational throughout the rainy season to promptly address new potholes as they arise.
Looking ahead, the department has set an ambitious goal to repair 500 km of roads by March next year, a critical step toward improving Delhi’s urban infrastructure.
