Waterlogged slip road near Amritsar's old sabzi mandi makes commuting difficult

A slip road connecting GT Road and Hall Bazaar near the Old Sabzi Mandi has remained in a state of neglect for years’ altogether, with chronic waterlogging turning it into a persistent civic nuisance. Despite repeated complaints, the local authorities have failed to find a lasting solution for the issue.

Commuters say the stretch has become almost impassable as the road surface, weakened by prolonged water stagnation, has not been repaired for years. Though it has not rained for over a month-and-a-half, a pool of dirty water still covers the patch, reflecting poor drainage maintenance.

The situation has become so bad that many local residents now avoid the road altogether, choosing instead to take a longer route via Bhandari Bridge. “The monsoon is over, and this is the right time to repair the road, but nothing has been done,” a resident said.

Months of waterlogging have left the stretch riddled with large potholes and scattered debris, posing a risk to motorists and two-wheeler riders alike. While locals are familiar with its poor state, outstation commuters often fall victim as online maps still direct them through this route to reach the walled city.

“It’s a killer stretch for outsiders,” said Karanveer Singh, a nearby shopkeeper. “Vehicles often get stuck in deep potholes and have to be towed away,” he said.

Residents allege that the Municipal Corporation (MC) has shown little concern in this connection. They say the least officials could do is install warning boards to alert commuters about overflowing sewer manholes that continue to flood the road.

“The MC should at least put up caution signs so that drivers are forewarned about the danger ahead,” said Harnam Singh, a local resident.