Continuous rains expose Ludhiana’s poor road infra, civic apathy

Monsoon showers this year have left behind more than just puddles as they have exposed the crumbling backbone of the city’s road infrastructure. From hospital gates to heritage bridges, key stretches across the city lie damaged and forgotten, turning daily commutes into obstacle courses. Two-wheeler riders, in particular, are bearing the brunt, navigating uneven surfaces and hidden potholes under stagnant water.

Outside the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), one of the city’s busiest hospitals, the road is in such a bad state that ambulances and patient vehicles struggle to navigate. The uneven surface and waterlogged potholes have become a hazard for those already in distress. “My father was in pain and the broken road was only adding to the agony,” said Harpreet Kaur, a resident of Model Town. “It’s shameful that a hospital road is in this condition.”

The situation is no better near Satsang Road, adjacent to the Civil Surgeon’s office as rains have left craters that get filled with water whenever it rains. The stretch near the women cell is equally pitiable, with broken patches and stagnant water making it nearly impassable. “We come here for official work, but the road feels like a neglected alley. It’s ironic that the women cell itself is surrounded by such unsafe conditions,” said Neha Sharma.

The Lakkar Bridge area, a vital area connector for commuters, is riddled with potholes that worsen with every downpour. Near the Clock Tower, the road surface has eroded so badly that even two-wheelers are at risk of skidding. “This is the heart of the city. If this is how the Clock Tower road looks, what can we expect elsewhere?” said Rajinder Singh, a shopkeeper.

The Domoria Bridge road, another key artery, has developed cracks and uneven patches that pose serious risks to vehicles and pedestrians alike. But perhaps the most glaring irony lies outside the Municipal Corporation’s Zone D office, where the road is in a state of utter disrepair. Cracked, flooded and ignored — it stands as a symbol of administrative apathy.

“Are the officials blind to the road outside their own office?” asked Ramesh Kumar, a retired teacher. “If they can’t fix what’s right under their nose, what hope do we have for the rest of the city,” he said.

Temporary patchwork washes away with the next rain, leaving behind deeper damage and growing frustration. City wants accountability, durable repairs and roads that serve rather than damage, added another city resident.