Diversion blockade spells chaos on NH-I

Tribune News Service

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Ludhiana, June 30

The overnight blocking of a diversion towards the Jalandhar bypass left thousands of commuters stranded on the NH-I expressway today. There was no signboard carrying information that the diversion had been blocked.

Commuters were seen risking their lives by crossing the storm-water drain to reach the other side of the highway. A Punjab Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) bus driver risked the lives of 40 passengers when he tried to cross the drain. Fortunately, the bus conductor, who was navigating the vehicle, told the driver that the cracks had appeared on the drain slab. Soon, the driver reversed the vehicle.

The local residents said the diversion was blocked overnight by the authorities but the road construction company did not deploy anyone to inform the commuters, who wanted to enter the city through Jalandhar Bypass, about the blocking of diversion.

Commuters expressed their anguish over carelessness on the part of the road construction company.

Munish Dogra, who was returning from Himachal Pradesh, said: “We were heading towards the Jalandhar bypass this morning and were stunned to find several vehicles being driven on the wrong side. On reaching the Jalandhar bypass, we found the diversion blocked.”

By afternoon, the problem gained alarming proportions as the residents protested against the expressway authorities for causing inconvenience to commuters.

“Are they (SOMA, the construction company) constructing an expressway or a maze? Till yesterday, the diversion was open. How will we reach the Jalandhar bypass? We are travelling with children and requested the bus driver to reverse the vehicle and drop us near the Jalandhar bypass,” said a group of women while expressing resentment against the construction company.

Since the construction of the expressway project began in 2009, the construction company (SOMA ISOLUX) has been facing criticism of sluggish work.

The company, which was scheduled to finish its work by November 11, 2011, has failed to meet more than five deadlines. Still, the work is far from over.

However, the toll charges have risen manifold in the past seven years. At present, Rs 117 is charged for one way journey while Rs 175 is charged for multiple journeys by light vehicles (cars).