Work on Vallah flyover bridge stuck as contractor abandons project; commuters face traffic jams

The much-awaited Vallah chowk flyover project has once again come to a standstill after the contractor reportedly abandoned the site. The bridge, which was expected to ease congestion on the busy bypass stretch, has been hanging fire for the past four years.

According to local sources, construction at the site has been progressing at a snail’s pace for months. Now, with the contractor pulling out, the work has completely stopped, leaving commuters and nearby residents frustrated. The half-finished structure and damaged side lanes have turned the area into a traffic nightmare, especially during the peak hours.

The stretch between the Vallah rail overbridge and the ammunition dump is in poor shape. As vehicles are being diverted onto narrow service lanes, traffic jams have become a daily occurrence. Ambulances, school buses, and even travellers heading to the airport often find themselves stuck for long durations. Residents have accused authorities of neglecting public inconvenience. “The bypass road has become a death trap. The flyover work has been dragging for years without accountability,” said Gurpreet Singh, a motorcycle mechanic at the Vallah chowk.

Earlier this year, construction was halted temporarily for a design review following demands from local representatives and residents. They had urged the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to replace the solid embankment structure with a pillar-based design to avoid blocking access to nearby shops and villages. However, with the contractor’s exit, the future of the project remains uncertain. No official statement has yet been issued by the NHAI or district administration regarding the next steps. Residents now hope the government will intervene to restart the stalled work and bring relief to thousands of daily commuters who rely on this crucial route.