Potholed Kiratpur Sahib-Nangal road nightmare for commuters

Kiratpur Sahib to Nangal stretch of the National Highway-503 has become a nightmare for commuters, with potholes turning the stretch into a death trap.

The entire stretch is riddled with craters, some of which are nearly half the width of the road, leading to regular traffic jams and raising the risk of accidents.

This road serves as the main link for thousands of pilgrims heading towards Anandpur Sahib and several shrines in Himachal Pradesh, especially during the Navratri.

Amrik Singh, a resident, said using this pothole-ridden stretch during the night can prove fatal.

“Many drivers are unable to spot the potholes in the dark, increasing the risk of accidents. During the monsoon, the situation becomes even worse as the potholes get filled with rainwater, making them invisible and more treacherous,” he said.

At certain spots, people could be seen putting soil in the potholes to prevent accidents.

Executive Engineer Sandeep Singh said they had received Rs 2 crore for the repair works from the Centre. “The repair estimates have been submitted to the Chief Engineer of the PWD. Once approval is granted, tenders will be floated,” he said.

Resident have urged the authorities concerned to carry out temporary patchwork to mitigate the danger until permanent repairs could be undertaken.

“Waiting for tendering formalities may cost lives. A temporary fix is the need of the hour,” said a resident.

The Kiratpur-Nangal road was earlier managed by a private company, which collected toll. After the termination of the contract, it was included in the NHAI network. A proposal to widen the road into a four-lane highway is also under consideration.