NHAI starts recarpeting of service lanes in Vallah

Finally, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) initiated recarpeting of service lanes at an under-construction Vallah overbridge today. The problem of routine traffic jams on this road was highlighted when policemen on duty were seen filling potholes for the smooth movement of traffic on Friday.

The administration announced restriction on the movement of the vehicles in the area for three hours to repair the road, but the traffic remained disrupted from morning to evening today.

Despite the police making arrangements to tackle the traffic rush, long queues of heavy vehicles were seen on both sides of the road. Devotees attending the ongoing “Vallah da Mela” were the major victims, as they were also not allowed to travel in their vehicles. They faced inconvenience as the police restricted traffic movement on the main road. Police personnel deputed outside the entry of Gurdwara Kotha Sahib assisted devotees in crossing the road.

Meanwhile, NHAI workers recarpeted service lanes, which were badly damaged due to the movement of heavy traffic. The traffic police had issued a notice for the general public yesterday to avoid the route between 9 am and 12 noon as repair work was expected to be carried out. However, the NHAI started the work with a delay, and it continued till evening. The police restricted traffic near D-Mart on Bypass Road.

“It was the weekend and we were here to attend the Vallah da Mela. The police stopped vehicles away from the village. So, we walked around 1 km to reach the gurdwara and paid obeisance. Most devotees visit the mela on weekends. The authorities should have repaired road on other day,” said Narinder Kaur, a devotee.