Jalandhar: Quality of road infra affecting life, biz

Tribune News Service

Avneet Kaur

Jalandhar, February 11

The city continues to grapple with its poor road infrastructure, posing a significant challenge for commuters. Key routes like the one side of Nakodar road from Ravidas Chowk to Wadala Chowk, Bhagat Singh Chowk, Cool Road, Urban Estate Phase II road near MGN School, and Defence Colony road are in dire need of repair, yet the Municipal Corporation (MC) seems to turn a blind eye to the problem.

No progress despite plaints

Kamlesh Kaur, a commuter, highlighted the lack of progress despite repeated complaints, both online and offline. She criticised frequent digging up of roads, particularly citing the example of Cool Road, which undergoes repair every six months without enduring improvements. She emphasised the need for accountability among contractors and officials responsible for road maintenance.

Dip in footfall

Business establishments along Nakodar Road reported a decline in footfall due to the deteriorating road condition. One of the shopkeepers, Ajitpal Singh, spoke about the challenges they face, with customers avoiding their stores due to the poor road conditions.

Commuters navigating these roads on a daily basis express frustration and concern over their safety. They criticise the poor quality of patchwork and lack of supervision, resulting in temporary fixes that barely last a month.

“Despite numerous complaints and visits to the MC office, officials concerned seem indifferent to the problem,” they said.

Kamlesh Kaur, a commuter, highlighted the lack of progress despite repeated complaints, both online and offline. She criticised frequent digging up of roads, particularly citing the example of Cool Road, which undergoes repair every six months without enduring improvements. She emphasised the need for accountability among contractors and officials responsible for road maintenance.

Residents near Bhagat Singh Chowk lament the impact of road conditions on their daily lives and businesses. They express frustration over broken roads and slow progress in repair work, which adversely affects their trade.

“Promises made by political leaders during elections contrast sharply with the reality faced by residents,” said the shopkeepers while raising questions about the allocation of funds and their utilisation.

Business establishments along Nakodar Road also expressed similar sentiments and reported a decline in footfall due to the deteriorating road condition. One of the shopkeepers, Ajitpal Singh, spoke about the challenges they face, with customers avoiding their stores due to the poor road conditions.

“Though the road construction work has started, progress remains slow, leaving us uncertain about when repairs will be completed,” he said.

The shopkeepers and commuters said the way MC was working, coupled with the rapid turnover of MC Commissioners, numerous concerns had been sparked regarding the effectiveness of the AAP government’s administration.

“Despite the Local Bodies Minister hailing from Jalandhar, the city lags significantly behind in addressing civic issues and improving infrastructure compared to other regions in Punjab,” they said.

They also demanded urgent intervention from the MC and the district administration to address the issue of road infrastructure, so that the safety and well-being of residents is ensured.

Despite repeated attempts, MC Commissioner Gautam Jain couldn’t be contacted for his comments.

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