No let-up in traffic snarls at Sahnewal

Lovleen Bains

Sahnewal, February 5

The traffic congestion in the town has reached such an alarming proportion that there is no hour of the day when the humming Sahnewal Chowk is not surrounded from all its four sides with huge trucks, bringing commuting to almost naught.

The problem of stranding of vehicles has been brought to the notice of the traffic police several times which, too, seems helpless. So far, traffic personnel have failed to find any solution to the problem ailing the town for almost year.

Social worker of the area and office secretary of the Lok Manch Punjab, Harbans Singh Sains, rued, “Although the traffic police are present many times at the spot, officials fail to control the flow of vehicles when huge truck-trailers occupy almost all of the Sahnewal Chowk. There is literally no passage left for other vehicles to pass through.”

“These trucks not only travel to and fro on the National Highway, but also move towards the Kohara and Dehlon roads after taking a wide cut for which major portion of the road has to be vacated,” he added.

“Though the entry of truck-trailers has been restricted from Tibba side, the other three directions are open to them. Moreover, any route these vehicles take, they ultimately converge at Sahnewal Chowk, thus obstructing the flow of traffic,” shared Sunder Sham, a shopkeeper.

“So thoughtless has been the Police Department that it has failed to install even traffic lights at the chowk. Truck drivers must understand that others, too, have the right to pass and they cannot trample anyone under wheels of their vehicles by taking a steep turn. Majority of accidents occur due to such trucks,” said Rajiv Kapila, another shopkeeper.

“Shopkeepers and shoppers, too, are in a fix. Long lines of vehicles and acute congestion has become the order of the day in the town, which was once peaceful and smooth when the overbridge was not constructed and trucks were not allowed to pass,” said Jivan Kapila another resident.

“These truck-trailers finally get stranded on the narrow Dehlon road while approaching Sahnewal Chowk, which severely hampers the smooth flow of vehicles. In mornings and evenings the traffic almost comes to a standstill. Sometimes when each driver is jostling to find a way out, policemen remain mute spectators instead of taking action to resolve the mess,” he added.

“I have deputed special officer to check vehicles obstructing the flow of traffic at Sahnewal Chowk. We are registering FIRs against violators. More traffic cops will be deployed at the chowk during day time when the congestion is highest,” said Gurdev Singh, ACP (Traffic), when contacted.