Defence Colony road a headache for residents

The Defence Colony road near the PIMS has become a source of inconvenience and danger for commuters, who have been grappling with its deteriorating condition for the past two years. Large potholes dot the road, turning it into a hazardous stretch, especially during the rains, leaving residents frustrated and demanding immediate action.

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This vital road connects the bus stand on the one side and Jalandhar Cantt on the other, serving as one of the busiest routes in the city. It caters to heavy traffic throughout the day, with numerous schools, shops and a gurdwara situated along its path.

Residents recalled that the road saw temporary repairs during the 2022 Assembly elections, offering brief relief, but since then, it has fallen back into disrepair. “Commuting on this stretch is a nightmare during rain. Potholes turn into puddles and the accumulation of water makes driving hazardous. We risk our lives everyday,” said Kamlesh Sharma, a regular commuter.

Locals have repeatedly raised concerns about the condition of the road, sharing stories of near-miss accidents and health issues caused by the dust from the broken surface. Yet, despite their complaints, no permanent solution has been provided by the municipal authorities.

In May this year, a group of frustrated Defence Colony residents decided to take matters into their own hands. They pooled their resources to carry out patchwork repairs on the road ahead of a religious procession. “We had to act. The sangat was to perform sewa barefoot and we couldn’t let them walk on such a dangerous road,” said Professor Kanwar Sartaj, a local resident.

Meanwhile, MC officials, however, have blamed the delay in repairs on rain. They said once the weather improved, the road would be repaired.