Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, October 26
The road leading to the Verka plant, Salempur Musalmana and Baba Mohandass Nagar is in a utter state of neglect. Local residents said the road was dug up to lay power cables. However, the re-carpeting work carried out post laying of cables was not up to the mark. Within a few days, the road developed cracks and potholes at several places.
Commuters, especially pedestrians, are the worst affected. When it rains, the motorists fail to judge the depth of the pothole and meet with accidents. An auto-rickshaw driver said they suffered the most due to the poor road condition. Their vehicles often developed snags.
Major Singh Kahlon, a local resident, said the area councillor had taken up the matter with the civic authorities on several occasions, but to no avail. “When the authorities are not paying heed to the complaints of their councillors, then how can we tell them about our issues. We stand no where," he rued.
“Despite several complaints, no official has even taken stock of the situation. We feel so helpless. My shop is situated on the roadside. I see several people risking their lives on this stretch everyday. Besides, potholes filled with sand has made it difficult for me to sit at the shop," said Deep Singh, a shopkeeper.
Another resident, Avtar Singh Bains, said they could not allow their children and elderly to use the stretch. During rain, the situation turned worse as potholes were filled with water.
Sushil Kumar, area councillor, said long traffic jams on the stretch had become a routine affair. “The civic body was supposed to carry out re-carpeting work, but nothing has been done so far. Officials are giving only verbal assurances and nothing is being done on the ground level."
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