Jalandhar Bypass-Samrala Chowk stretch a death trap

Charanjit Singh Teja

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 19

Stretch from Jalandhar Bypass to Samrala Chowk on National Highway-1 has become a death trap. Accidents are a routine on this stretch of the highway which is under construction.

Construction work, which started several years ago, is yet to be completed. Traffic diversions and digging of road have led to traffic chaos on the stretch. Drivers are often seen speeding to avoid traffic jams.

In the absence of proper diversions, commuters are free to drive on any of the lanes as per their convenience. Most commuters get confused due to inappropriate diversions.

Mismanagement on the part of the company which is constructing the highway is a major reason behind accidents happening in routine on this stretch.

Though the company has been collecting toll for the past several years, construction work is going on at a snail’s pace.

Ironically, this killer stretch is not on the agenda of any political party, including the Opposition.

Past incidents

June 8: A 35-year-old man was killed in the Salem Tabri area when a truck ran over him. The deceased was identified as Ashok Kumar, a resident of Khajoor Chowk.

June 3: The bus of a private company crushed a woman to death near Jalandher Bypass. The deceased was identified as Biri (52), a resident of Salem Tabri.

May 28: A tipper of A to Z Company ran over an elderly woman to death in the Basti Jodhewal area on National Highway-1.

May 16: A bus of the PEPSU Road Transport Corporation crushed a motorcyclist to death at Tajpur Chowk. The deceased was identified as Pavinder Kumar (32) of Katora village in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh