It is observed that various roads are hot-mixed across the state all through the year. However it is observed that the work of hot-mixing invariably commences with an inaugural ceremony. Several political leaders, probably including the local MLA gather around the heavy machinery and place a garland on the hot mix. There is much fanfare that precedes the actual hot-mixing work. The question that arises is whether such fanfare is actually needed for a simple task of hot-mixing a road? Is it being done to gain political mileage? Having a good road is the right of every road user who pays the road tax. It is the duty of the authorities to provide these roads. So why all the fanfare when a road is being repaired? The hot-mixed road may have to undergo repairs in a year’s time. So does it make sense to have one more inaugural function before the hot-mixing work is undertaken all over again? As and when the dates for the elections to the assembly or even the local governing bodies approach, there could be occasions when more roads will be hot-mixed with much fanfare. Does not make sense to inaugurate a repair work.
