An open drain along a service lane in Ludhiana. Tribune photo

Lovleen Bains

Sahnewal, December 25

Thick blanket of fog has engulfed the entire region, making commuting a cumbersome affair for motorists on National Highway Number 1, especially along the service lanes with drains without any cover or safety signal.

“It has been countless times that the authorities concerned have been conveyed about the sorry state of affairs but to no avail,” complained one of the commuters who had to travel in thick fog early this morning.

“Visibility has reduced to mere zero due to the fog. I was travelling from Doraha to Sahnewal and I was all the time extra cautious of the open ditches on the roadside. If my car skids in one of these, it would result in total breakage of the vehicle apart from hurting me in the process,” he added.

“This has not been the case just for the current season. The authorities are casual in their approach. Every year, before the commencement of winter season, it is conveyed by commuters as well as through media about the amends which need to be made and lack of preparedness on the part of the authorities but nothing worthwhile comes out,” rued a commuter.

“A number of lives have been lost at the altar of the project of road widening initiated by the NHAI. As it gets dark and foggy, the trenches assume the look of a grave. The tragedy which befell on two children who fell into the deep trench seems to have long been forgotten by the NHAI,” rued another commuter.

Another spoke thus: “If projects are launched for the public welfare, this one is simply the worst we could term. Are the authorities blind that they cannot see such deep drains left wide open? This is the height of non-seriousness. It is good that the farmers have stopped all toll plazas from collecting toll. We should never ever pay for a thing which is a source of nuisance and nothing beyond that. What a shame on the part of the authorities to be so casual even after extracting crores from the pockets of the commuters. Our patience has now been exhausted. Toll fee in hundreds and such a haphazard and rough work! I fail to understand what after all are we paying so much? The government needs to take urgent action in this regard.”

The mobile phone of the official concerned was switched off.