Neglected Neelon-Doraha stretch: A decade-long nightmare for commuters

The once-promised four-laning of the Neelon-Doraha stretch, a project first proposed 12 years ago, has turned into a nightmare for commuters, with the road deteriorating to the point of near invisibility. The stretch, riddled with fissures, gaps, and deep potholes, has become a daily struggle for thousands of vehicles, from two-wheelers to heavy commercial trucks.

Despite heavy usage, the road has been left without recarpeting or proper maintenance, leaving it in a state of disrepair.

Navneet Singh Mangat, along with his fellow villagers from Rampur, who commute daily on this stretch, expressed their frustration: “We’re living in a world of indifference where no one seems to care about easing the problems of the affected. We never asked for a four-lane road; we just need a smooth, functional road, but in the pursuit of the four-laning project, we’ve been deprived of even that. It’s just another government project gone wrong. The road is barely visible anymore, and the potholes and jerks have been unbearable for years. We are fed up with the authorities’ lack of response.”

Jandeep Kaushal, a social worker from Doraha, added, “This stretch is nothing short of a death trap. Eroded edges and the lack of proper support structures pose serious safety risks, especially at points where the road is severely damaged. This stretch, which connects several villages and serves as a major bypass, is heavily trafficked.”

The situation worsens during the rainy season. Prof Harpreet Singh of village Ghulal noted, “When it rains, the muddy, slippery road leads to vehicles getting stuck, creating a bottleneck. Drivers of four-wheelers struggle to drive in a zigzag pattern, and two-wheeler riders have been involved in several accidents due to the conditions. Isn’t it the department’s responsibility to ensure the safety of commuters?”

Compounding the issue, technical snags at the level crossing create long queues, further agitating already frustrated commuters. Adding to the outrage, Sukhpal Singh Dharni from Khamanon, who works in Doraha, pointed out the irony: “The toll plaza on this stretch collects money from commuters but provides us with a road full of potholes in return. The issue of the Road over Bridge (ROB) remains unresolved, and no government representative has even bothered to address the public’s concerns.”

When contacted, SDM Payal Pardeep Bains stated that the department is in continuous communication with the PWD and Railways and that a solution will soon be found.

However, a PWD official revealed that an estimate for the roadwork has already been prepared and sent for approval. But the project stalled when the Railways intervened, proposing to build service lanes, drains, and approaches along with the ROB on both sides, prompting the PWD to step back.

A Railway official, speaking on condition of anonymity, explained that although a tender for the project has been approved, work cannot proceed due to encumbrances on the site. “The state government started the project 10 years ago but then withdrew, leaving materials on site. The state wants us to continue with this outdated material, but we can’t proceed with that,” the official stated.