Panchrukhi residents demand upgrade of single-lane road

Residents of the Panchrukhi area in Kangra district have urged the government to upgrade the Panchrukhi-Pahada road from a single-lane to a two-lane structure. This route connects several panchayats, including Maniyada Khera, Jaisinghpur and Lambagaon and serves as the primary link to key destinations such as Jaisinghpur, Lambagaon, Sujanpur, Hamirpur, Una, Chandigarh and Delhi from Palampur and Panchrukhi.

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According to Satish Sharma, a local resident, the road, which sees frequent bus traffic during peak hours, has become prone to congestion and accidents due to its single-lane configuration. The increasing traffic volume has exacerbated the situation, highlighting the need for the road to be widened to accommodate more vehicles.

The residents of Panchrukhi have submitted a memorandum to the government, emphasising despite growing traffic, the road has not been widened in years, leading to severe congestion. They say expanding the road to two lanes would improve traffic flow, reduce accidents and ensure safer travel for commuters.

The demand is particularly strong in areas such as Panchrukhi, Pahra and surrounding villages, which experience high traffic volumes. Local residents believe the upgrade would also boost the local economy by improving connectivity and facilitating business transport. Panchrukhi Market, in particular, suffers from traffic jams during peak hours, worsened by the narrow road.

While traffic has increased significantly over the past 15 years, the width of the road has remained the same. The state government had previously promised to address this problem and residents now urge the Public Works Department to take immediate action to alleviate congestion and improve road safety.