Hello Prof. Raj,
I went through your article on Reema and road work. Can you understand the real need or why this problem frequently arises in Indian conditions?
The real problem is partial and intentional blindness to realities. The civil engineer or the civil contractor to whom the road repair or construction is entrusted is well aware that wherever the roads go, sufficient provision has to be made for drains, electrical cabling, telephony cables, and other provisions like cable TV wires, water pipelines, etc. However, his contract does not specify anything about it and does not impose any penalty for damaging these items. So, he closes his eyes, does what he is told to do, and collects his bill. He is not concerned about society and the bigger picture.
It is the bureaucracy and unprofessional approach of our fellow countrymen that create this issue. Everybody wants to look good in the short run only; nobody wants to protest and risk being seen as a troublemaker by pointing out the faults in a road construction project.
Thank you.