Open house: How have delays in construction projects affected commuters in Amritsar?

Delays affect visitors, daily commuters

Delays in the construction of flyovers and railway overbridges (ROBs) can seriously affect a city — especially a holy city like Amritsar, where daily commuters, including traders, and visitors depend on smooth movement. For daily commuters, delays mean longer travel time, traffic jams, fuel wastage, increased stress and reduced productivity. Also, such delays increase accident risks due to temporary diversions and unsafe crossings. Tourists, including pilgrims, face difficulties in reaching religious sites like the Golden Temple, which mars the impression of the city. Congestion during peak religious events and festivals only worsens the problem. For local businesses, such delays can mean reduced footfall near construction zones, and delayed goods movement, which increases costs — especially for small-scale traders, who suffer the most. Emergency services — ambulances, fire brigades, and the police — are affected, too. Not to mention the noise, dust, and air pollution that accompanies construction, which is worsened by delays, causing health issues for area residents. Therefore, authorities should fix strict deadlines, with penalties for delays; and display project timelines and progress updates. They should ensure that funds are fully sanctioned before starting work; and land acquisition, utility shifting, and railway permission processes are completed early. Pre-fabricated structures should be used where possible, and night-time or off-peak construction should be carried out to reduce disruption.

Krishan Kumar Sharma

Rise in incidents of road rage

Constructions delays on vital roads have not only impacted tourists but also area residents. The stalled projects pose safety hazards. Long traffic snarls on these stretches have led to an increase in road-rage incidents, which sometimes result in physical clashes. Residents have to take longer routes. The NHAI and railway authorities should not start projects without a financial guarantee from the state government, so as to complete projects on time and save commuters from facing pressing hardships.

Anil Vinayak

Poor signage, lack of traffic management

Delays in the construction of the flyover on Vallah and Loharka roads and the Rego railway overbridge have severely affected daily commuters. Long traffic jams, unsafe diversions, increased travel time, fuel wastage and frequent accidents have become routine, causing frustration among office-goers, traders, students and emergency services. Poor signage and lack of traffic management worsen the situation, especially during peak hours and bad weather. The authorities concerned must fix clear timelines and fix accountability for delays. Work should be taken up on war footing, and carried out at night whenever possible. Proper barricading, lighting and signage must be put up, and traffic marshals must be deployed immediately. Regular public updates on progress and alternative routes should be shared with the public. Temporary road repairs and coordination between the MC, PWD and the traffic police are essential. Completing these projects promptly will greatly ease congestion and improve road safety for Amritsar residents.

Sameer Jain

Meant to ease woes, projects bottlenecks

Commuters using the Vallah and Loharka roads, and the Rego railway overbridge, are suffering due to long construction delays. What were meant to ease traffic, have instead become bottlenecks. Long queues, sudden roadblocks, and poorly planned diversions waste valuable time and fuel, affecting office workers, schoolchildren and emergency services. Dust and noise have added to residents’ discomfort. The authorities should expedite work, deploy traffic police at ‘choke points’, install proper signboards and hold contractors accountable. Public infrastructure loses its purpose when deadlines are endlessly missed.

Harmeet Singh

Narrowed roads increase mishap risk

The delays in the construction of the flyover on Vallah and Loharka roads and the Rego railway overbridge have caused daily hardship for commuters. Office-goers, students and patients face long traffic jams, unsafe diversions and frequent delays, leading to stress, fuel wastage and increased pollution. Narrowed roads and poor signage increase the risk of accidents, especially during peak hours and rains. Authorities must fix strict timelines, ensure round-the-clock work, improve traffic management, and keep the public informed.

Jatinderpreet Singh

What’s the Issue

The construction projects for a flyover on the Vallah and Loharka roads, and the Rego railway overbridge are marred by delays. How does this affect commuters? What measures should be taken in this regard?

QUESTION for next week

The wholesale sabzi mandi was shifted from its original location — near Hall Gate — to a new site in Vallah in 2004-2005 to reduce traffic congestion and improve cleanliness. Due to the Army’s acquisition of 122 acres on a bypass, a notification banning any construction within a 1,000-yard parapet was issued on November 11, 2004. This stalled the development of the mandi, fostering unhygienic conditions. How can the problem be solved?

Suggestions in not more than 150 words can be sent to amritsardesk@tribunemail.com by Thursday (January 29)