Asr-Tarn Taran four-lane road project yet to take off

The much publicised Amritsar-Tarn Taran four-lane road project, announced with great fanfare in February 2024, has yet to see any actual work on the ground. Punjab PWD Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO had laid the foundation stone of the project, promising its completion in a time-bound manner. But months later, commuters say the condition of the road remains the same, with traffic and accident risks only worsening.

The Rs 70 crore project was to convert the busy Tarn Taran-Amritsar road via Chabba into a four-lane highway, significantly reducing travel time between the two cities. As per the plan, the road was to have a 23-foot wide carriageway on each side of the median and 10-foot wide slip roads near Gurdwara Tahla Sahib and Gurdwara Sangrana Sahib to facilitate the smooth flow of traffic.

However, residents point out that beyond the foundation stone laying ceremony, no machinery, material or workforce has arrived on site. “The minister laid a stone last year. This has now become more of a political event than a development project,” said Jasbir Singh, a daily commuter.

Meanwhile, the volume of traffic on the existing narrow road has increased manifold. The route serves not only local commuters but also a large number of devotees visiting historical gurdwaras in the area. Villagers complain that heavy vehicles, buses and motorcycles jostle for space, making the road extremely prone to accidents. Locals recall several recent mishaps, including fatal ones, caused by congestion and poor road design.

“During peak hours, overtaking becomes dangerous. Without widening, the road is a death trap,” said Harpreet Kaur, a resident from Chabba. Transporters and shopkeepers have urged the government to begin the project without further delay, pointing out that repeated announcements without implementation erode public trust. Civic groups have also demanded that the administration at least carry out temporary safety measures such as installing road dividers, signage and speed checks until the widening work begins.

The plan

• The Rs 70 crore project was to convert the busy Amritsar-Tarn Taran road via Chhaba into a four-lane highway, reducing travel time.
•  The road was to have a 23-foot wide carriageway on each side of the median and 10-foot wide slip roads near Gurdwara Tahla Sahib and Gurdwara Sangrana Sahib to facilitate traffic flow.
• Villagers complain that the increasing number of vehicles has made the road prone to accidents, caused by congestion and poor drainage.