Slow pace of work irks Ludhiana residents

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 23

Residents continue to face inconvenience as the ROB and RUBs project under the Smart City Mission on Pakhowal Road is going on at a snail’s pace.

The project was supposed to be completed by August 31, 2021 but the deadline was extended to December 31, 2021, and later to March 31, 2022, but it seems the project may take several more months to become a reality.

Since a stretch of Pakhowal Road was closed for vehicular traffic due to project work in December 2020, the traffic was diverted through other routes and commuters generally faced traffic jams.

Currently, the railway is carrying out project works under its jurisdiction while the MC and Ludhiana Smart City Limited officials are looking after construction work in MC’s jurisdiction.

The Executive Engineer of Railway, Harbans Singh, said the Railway had constructed the ROB portion under its jurisdiction. He said Railway has written to the MC to construct the approach roads to connect the bridge portion. Once the approach roads are constructed by MC, the Railway would then carpet the bridge road under its jurisdiction, he said.

Notably, MC’s approach roads construction work for ROB is pending near the railway crossing gates towards canal side and also on the other side near HDFC Bank on Pakhowal Road.

The construction work on the railway under the bridge (RUB) near the railway crossing on Pakhowal Road has also not been completed by both departments MC and Railway. However, the railway official claimed that the remaining RUB work in railway’s jurisdiction will be completed in around next 45 days.

The shopkeepers complained that their business has been badly affected since the road stretch was closed for the traffic movement. The shopkeepers and residents wanted the project must be completed at the earliest.

A shopkeeper near railway crossing gate that remains closed now, said, “I have been running my business here for the past 28 years. But, I faced a lot of financial problems during the past one and half years since the road was closed for the project. My business has reduced by more than 75 per cent during this period. There is no proper way that the customers can easily reach my and other shops. The project is going on a slow pace as it has not been completed to date.”

During the rainy days, muddy conditions cause more trouble for shopkeepers. The shopkeepers sought that a service lane from railway crossing gate towards canal side must be constructed at the earliest so that the commuters can easily reach the shops. It is also learned that a number of people have already closed their businesses on this road after the project was launched.

Kapil Arora of the Council of Engineers said, “The project is moving ahead at a slow pace due to which the commuters face problems. If the work continues at the same pace, it seems the remaining construction work would be completed in more than one year. The responsibility of officials and contractors must be fixed.”

MC’s Superintending engineer concerned could not be contacted for a comment. MLA from Ludhiana West Gurpreet Gogi claimed that the entire project would be completed by March 2023.

About The Author

Tribune News Service

The Tribune News Service brings you the latest news, analysis and insights from the region, India and around the world. Follow the Tribune News Service for a wide-ranging coverage of events as they unfold, with perspective and clarity.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.