Road cave-ins spark safety concerns in SBS Nagar

Two alarming road cave-ins near the City Centre in Shaheed Bhagat Singh (SBS) Nagar have again raised serious questions about infrastructure neglect and commuter safety.

The affected stretch, which connects the G-block side of the SBS Nagar to the City Centre, has become a hazard zone, with one depression remaining so deep and waterlogged.”

A local resident whose car got stuck in a pothole on Monday morning, described the incident as “dangerous”, adding that “It’s not a road issue but a daily risk for anyone commuting through the area”.

The cave-ins appear to be the result of recurring soil erosion, a problem that has plagued the area for years. Despite repeated complaints, the authorities have offered only temporary fixes.

“Every year they dump mud and leave,” said Arvind Sharma, a resident. “There’s no concrete solution, no retaining wall and no accountability,” he said.

What’s more alarming is the complete lack of barricading around the City Centre. With deep depressions and open drops surrounding the structure, pedestrians and vehicles are left vulnerable. “There’s no fencing, no warning signs — just open danger,” he said.

The City Centre structure itself, once envisioned as a commercial hub, now stands partially submerged and abandoned.

Locals refer to it as a ghost of its intended purpose. “It’s like surroundings are sinking with it,” said Amarjit Singh, another resident. “With no barricading around, roads are sinking and with it even our hopes for development are sinking,” he said.

This isn’t the first time the area has faced such issues. In 2011, three roads around the City Centre were washed away after heavy rainfall. The lack of a retaining wall continues to leave the area vulnerable during monsoons.

Residents are losing patience. “We’re tired of waiting for the matter to be decided in court as the wait is getting longer while our roads collapse,” said Manjit Singh, another area resident.

“The issue is about inconvenience, safety, dignity and the right to live in a city that cares,” he said.

Later in the evening, the road was barricaded by the authorities.