Ludhiana: Repair work on road heading from Saggu Chowk to Hambran yet to begin
Laying of pipelines for the city’s ambitious 24-hour canal water supply project has delayed work on the stretch
City residents continue to face inconvenience due to broken roads and stalled projects, the fallout of mismanagement and poor coordination by the civic authorities.
The Municipal Corporation (MC) had announced long-awaited construction of the road heading from Saggu Chowk to Hambran Road, a vital stretch leading to hospitals and schools. However, work on this road is yet to begin, as pipelines for the city’s ambitious 24-hour canal water supply project must first be laid on the stretch.
The canal-based water supply scheme costing Rs 1,422-crore, which includes construction of 62 overhead tanks, was envisioned to transform drinking water infrastructure. But the excavation required for pipeline installation has left several thoroughfares dug up and incomplete, with no relief expected for at least past two months.
Saggu Chowk and the adjoining areas now present a grim picture such as gaping potholes, uneven surfaces and broken signage which highlight the civic neglect.
“We were promised better infrastructure, but instead we are left with broken roads and uncertainty,” lamented a local shopkeeper.
Daily life has been disrupted by traffic snarls, dust pollution and safety hazards. Concerns are mounting as the monsoon season approaches, with fears that damaged roads could worsen flooding issues.
Civic activists have sharply criticised the lack of coordination between officials managing the water supply project and road construction work, arguing that repeated digging and delays lead to wasteful expenditure. They demand more transparency, accountability and clear timelines for completion of such projects.
“There should be co-ordination and proper planning as lot of people are affected due delay in completion of projects,” said Parminder Singh, a civic activist.
“Every day feels like an obstacle as potholes, dust and traffic jams have become routine. The road is so uneven that even walking is risky, forget about driving safely. All we see is dug-up stretches and broken promises,” said Aryan, who commutes daily on this road.
“My children’s school bus struggles to pass through this road. For now, residents continue to navigate hazardous roads, waiting for promises of better infrastructure to finally materialise,” said Arvind, another area resident.
