Harvesting, lifting of wheat causing traffic snarls

Mahesh Sharma

Mandi Ahmedgarh, April 27

The ongoing harvesting and procurement season has brought blockades and traffic snarls to almost all roads connecting the town with the outer world.

Markets and streets of the locality, besides highways and link roads, are no exception to the tendency.

Poor parking of tractors trolleys, agricultural machinery, combine harvesters, reapers and trucks engaged in procurement of wheat crop further compound the problem for commuters.

The traffic snarls further tighten the preoccupied schedule of civil and police officials as the frequent jams result in a burden on their routine duty.

City SHO Dr Jagbir Singh and the Dehlon SHO said beat officers had been advised to enhance preventive measures to avoid traffic congestion and snarls.

Sources said chores related to harvesting of wheat crop, shifting of produce and lifting by procurement agencies multiply problems associated with traffic management at local towns and surrounding localities. Almost all roads connecting the town with nearby cities, such as Ludhiana, Malerkotla, Khanna and Raikot, become riskier for commuting. Those near grain markets, purchase centres, warehouses and mills become almost impenetrable due to the arrival of higher number of tractor trolleys and trucks. Slow movement of combine harvesters and reapers on highways and link roads lead to slowing down of vehicular traffic.

Raikot Road, Dehliz Road, Pohir Road, Jagera Road, Dhulkot Road And Chhanna Road are among the worst affected passages.

Members of social, educational, and industrial organisations said they had persuaded their members and employees to rationalise use of four wheelers so that traffic congestion on roads is minimised.

Office-bearers of Truck Operator Union, led by Jaswinder Singh Lalli, said members of their outfit had been reminded of their duty towards society and told to sensitise drivers of their vehicles about traffic rules.