Traffic congestion in Sirsa: A daily struggle for commuters

Sirsa is reeling under the problem of traffic congestion, with increasing number of vehicles and poor traffic management making the situation worse. Almost every road in the city experiences multiple traffic jams a day, sometimes even lasting one to two hours. This has raised questions on the efficiency of the traffic police.

Key stretches such as Barnala Road, Hisar Road, Ellenabad Road and Dabwali Road are perpetually congested. One of the worst-hit areas is the railway overbridge near the bus stand on Hisar Road. Buses, trucks and other vehicles traveling to Dabwali, Ellenabad, Nathusari Chopta, Nohar and the city’s market, all use the same bridge, leading to massive traffic pile-ups.

The lack of proper traffic management, combined with narrow roads, has made the situation worse. The residents, particularly commuters, are facing significant challenges. Surkhab Chowk, a major intersection connecting routes to Dabwali, Ellenabad, Hisar and Nathusari Chopta, has earned the nickname ‘Jam Chowk’ from the residents. This critical junction, linking the city’s markets and business areas, is jammed almost all day, resulting in growing frustration among drivers.

The residents have voiced their concerns about the worsening traffic conditions. Rajan Mehta, a Sirsa resident, blames the city’s outdated infrastructure for the growing traffic jams. Despite promises to build new parking spaces and ensure improved traffic management over the years, little has been done. He is frustrated by the lack of action from the local MC authorities, pointing out that the traffic in Sirsa had become as bad as in larger cities.

Another resident, Gurjeet Singh, highlights the role of non-functional traffic lights in exacerbating the chaos. Many lights are either broken or inefficient, and the traffic police, who are understaffed, struggle to manage the flow of traffic. Singh also notes that many drivers disregard traffic rules, cutting lanes and rushing to get ahead, which further intensifies the congestion.

Sirsa MC Commissioner Suresh Beniwal said traffic congestion could sometimes be caused by factors such as weather conditions and vehicle breakdowns. However, he said there were currently no plans to relocate the bus stand outside the city to ease the traffic situation. Beniwal also said they had identified land for parking, but technical issues had prevented them from setting up any new parking spaces.

Inspector Shamser Singh, head of the traffic police, cited the absence of 55 home guard personnel, who were usually deployed to help manage the traffic. With only 14-15 officers available, the police force is stretched thin. He admitted that many of the city’s traffic lights were ineffective, especially in smaller intersections, and noted that the increasing number of vehicles, especially personal cars with just one occupant, added to the congestion. Singh suggested that using two-wheelers or carpooling could help alleviate the situation.