Uneven service lane on Sahnewal-Nandpur road leaves commuters harried

Milling of the service lane on a stretch of the Sahnewal-Nandpur road by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is taking a heavy toll on commuters, who not only have to drive on an uneven surface but also face the risk of skidding.

“The peeled surface discomforts commuters, especially those on two-wheelers. The pillion rider has to hold his breath while crossing the stretch which has become rough and irregular. The risk of skidding, too, has increased manifold. Almost a month has passed but the authority concerned has not bothered to recarpet the stretch,” rued Kulwinder Kala Bhimro, who runs a shop on the service lane.

Manjinder Bhola, another resident expressed, “Apart from the resulting air pollution due to the dust raised after milling, the diversions and traffic congestion cannot be overlooked. The condition worsens when it pours. The road becomes slippery and thus impassable. The NHAI’s apathy is not only taking a toll on our vehicles but also on our lives. A majority of the traffic uses the service lanes. Commuters have to pay toll for the Jalandhar to Panipat stretch, yet this is the condition of the service lane. A number of lives have been lost and others permanently crippled due to major and minor accidents on this badly potholed roads.”

“The NHAI is quick to revise the toll rates but seldom provides any facility in return. The bumpy ride due to milling and the resultant uneven surface of the service lane is enough to increase our resentment against the NHAI that is fooling commuters by justifying their technician stance every time they hike the rates,” rued Gurkirat Singh, a daily traveller.

Professor Satjot Singh Dhillon, who takes to service lane as matter of routine rued, “I have observed two-wheeler drivers and pillion riders, falling in the middle of the road and sustaining injuries. When the NHAI turns a blind eye towards our problems the purpose for which it is collecting toll has been defeated. Why should we shell out even a single penny? The service lane is no better than a non-carpeted road at a remote village. Not only this, the drains are blocked and rainwater has no outlet.”

Site engineer Sandeep Singh said the work of recarpeting had been delayed due to adverse weather conditions. “The work of adding bitumen and concrete shall be initiated in a week’s time,” he added.

Ludhiana