Potholed underpasses give bumpy ride to commuters

Lovleen Bains

Sahnewal, November 2

Residents have been suffering ever since the six-laning project of the National Highway Number 1 has materialised here.

However, underpasses have been filled with potholes and deep ditches and nobody is bothered to repair them despite reminders.

“We have never been so upset. Six-laning of the highway has literally snatched the only lane we had for passage,” said Satjot Singh Dhillon, a resident of Jugiana village.

“There is nobody to listen and realise the agony we have to bear while getting stranded in traffic jams that occur due to deep ditches and potholes. On many occasions, vehicles of residents got damaged and many have received injuries also,” rued a frustrated commuter.

The commuters are literally fed up with the sorry state of affairs. “Whether it is the work of the NHAI authorities or the Municipal Corporation, we want a permanent solution. We have stopped using this underpass all together,” said Pawanpreet Singh Bulara of Jugiana village.

“The maintenance of these underpasses, especially those near Jugiana village and Pawa Khagat has been almost negligible. Commuters suffer to the extent that they dread the idea of crossing an underpass and look out for a new road going an extra mile every time,” said another commuter.

“Though the National Highway Number 1 has made six-lane but the residents have been deprived of their existing single lane as well. Many a times, the commuters are in a hurry to reach the other side but we have to first choose between the underpasses as to which one is penetrable at that moment of time,” shared another resident.

In-charge Soma Roadis Sanjay Moriya said he was well aware of the sorry state of affairs and the necessary repairs had already been initiated time and again.

“Even now, we have placed a fresh demand and we will begin the process of installing the tiles when the sanction will be given. As far as the underpass near Jugiana village is concerned, the sewer line has been rectified but due to the sewer overflow, the underpass remains inundated. We have requested the municipal council to check the issue but to no avail. The water has been damaging the road and creating hurdle for the commuters” he said.