'Road to hell': Fed up with potholes, Kanpur locals inaugurates 'Yamraj's Gate'

Kanpur residents took matters into their own hands by renaming an 80 Feet Road as 'Yamlok Dwar' in protest against the deteriorating state of rain-damaged roads. A young man donning a costume as Yamraj ceremonially cut a ribbon to underscore the numerous potholes that have accumulated in the area. The demonstrators carried a sign that read, 'Yamraj ka Dwar - Grand Opening (road to hell grand inauguration)', attributing the issue to the negligence of the Nagar Nigam authorities.

Local residents lamented the hazardous conditions of the road, which had become a challenge for motorists due to the hidden depth of the potholes caused by rainwater. They implored the Nagar Nigam to expedite the repairs of the road. The residents of Kanpur expressed widespread dissatisfaction with the overall condition of the city's roads, noting that protests against the poor road infrastructure are becoming increasingly common.

The issue of potholes surfaced on Sunday when traders in the marble market of Kidwainagar discovered a pothole in the road that measured approximately 18 feet deep. The Bharatiya Udyog Vyapar Mandal reported that their business was adversely affected due to the poor road conditions, and they emphasized that the residents of the city were suffering due to waterlogging and potholes.

The protests against potholes began in earnest at Sariya VIP Road in Jajmau, where a pothole of about 18 feet in depth had emerged. On August 27, the local MLA visited the site in protest at the lack of officials present. He descended into the pothole himself for around 4 hours and 30 minutes, urging the officials to come and assess the situation once they arrived. Following their arrival, the MLA emerged from the pothole, highlighting the need for urgent action.