Damaged slab on bypass road’s drain poses risk to commuters

A damaged slab over the roadside drainage on the city’s bypass road outside D-Mart has been in dire need of repairs for months, posing a serious risk to motorists and pedestrians. The bypass, constructed and maintained by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), has several such slab crossings meant to allow service roads and internal streets to pass over the drainage channels built on both sides of the highway. Many of these slab structures are either broken or have caved in, creating dangerous patches on the stretch.

One of the worst-affected points is in front of the newly opened D-Mart, where a slab has remained broken for nearly two months. Despite the heavy flow of traffic in the area, no action has been taken so far. Local residents say that NHAI officials have not even inspected the spot, forcing them to take basic safety measures on their own. A wooden log with a red flag tied to it has been placed in the collapsed portion to alert passing vehicles, especially during the evening rush.

Residents say that several points along the bypass, where service lanes merge or internal roads cross the drainage line, have similar problems. Frequent vehicle movement at these spots increases the risk of an accident, particularly at night.

Davinder Sharma from Garden Avenue lamented the lack of response from the authorities. He said the condition of these slabs shows how little attention is given to public safety. “Such neglected structures can result in a major accident any day,” he said.

Another resident, Pratipal Singh, a resident of Veer Enclave, questioned the silence of officials and elected representatives. “It is strange that hundreds of senior officials and politicians travel on this road every day. They see the red-flagged stick placed in the broken slab, yet no one takes action. This neglect is difficult to understand,” he said.

Residents have demanded that the NHAI immediately repair and reinforce all slab bridges built over the drainage along the bypass. They warned that with winter’s fog season approaching, any delay in repairs could lead to serious accidents.