PRAYAGRAJ, May 3 -- A resident of Haji Nagar locality, Rashid, has been advised by the doctor to always wear a mask while on the roads after he developed breathing problems due to dust. A Kareli resident, Bablu, developed back pain due to potholed roads.

The number of such patients is in the hundreds and many more are approaching doctors, says Mohd Taj, a social activist.

Broken and dusty roads are a big issue for Old City residents of Prayagraj which partially fall under both the Allahabad and Phulpur Lok Sabha constituencies.

Along with the condition of roads, encroachment in these Muslim-dominated and densely populated localities has resulted in serious health issues, and residents hope for better times from the candidates vying to ...