Railway road work delayed, monsoon threat looms

After nearly four years of controversy, delays and repeated protests, the long-awaited tender for the reconstruction of Railway road in Nawanshahr has finally been floated.

But instead of relief, the slow pace of initial work has triggered fresh concern among local traders as well as residents, who fear the upcoming monsoon will turn the half-dug stretch into a virtual pool, further compounding their losses.

The road, one of the busiest in the town, was last constructed in 2021 with much fanfare, but cracks and potholes started surfacing shortly after, leading to persistent traffic jams, dust pollution and dwindling footfall for dozens of commercial establishments located here.

Major brand showrooms, banks and retail outlets, Dana Mandi and the Railway Station line this stretch, making it a key commercial hub in the city.

Over the years, local shopkeepers staged multiple protests, even handing over their shop keys to the administration in a dramatic show of anger and helplessness. Allegations of corruption, mismanagement and bureaucratic delays added to the controversy, turning the issue into a political flashpoint.

Earlier this year, Punjab’s Local Government Minister Dr Ravjot Singh inspected the site and assured that the tender process would be expedited. The announcement in May that the tender had finally been floated was met with cautious optimism by the business community. However, as work continues to move at a sluggish pace, frustration is once again growing.

“We have already suffered huge losses due to dust, debris and poor access to our shops,” said Manish Khurana, one of the businessmen based on Railway road. “Now with the rains approaching, if the road turns into a waterlogged mess again, who will compensate us?” he asked.

Another trader added, “Customer footfall is already low due to the off-season. Whatever little sales we manage just help cover basic expenses, but even that is now under threat. The government must speed up the work before things get worse.”

He added that the road handles heavy daily traffic and with ongoing construction work and uneven surfaces, both commuters and pedestrians face serious safety risks.

Traders have warned that if immediate steps aren’t taken to level the surface and ensure proper drainage before the monsoon intensifies, the situation may spiral into yet another civic crisis.

“We demand a clear timeline and visible daily progress. With the groundwork laid and tenders approved, there is no reason for further delay,” traders said.

“Four years is a long time,” said a member of the local market committee. “We’ve waited, protested and suffered. Now that the paperwork is finally over, the least the administration can do is ensure the work is completed before monsoon rains make things worse.”

Jalandhar