Ludhiana: A day before the festival of colours, Holi celebrations were visible on several city roads, especially Rani Jhansi Road and College Road, which is a hub of educational institutions, including Khalsa College for Women, Gujranwala Guru Nanak Khalsa College (GGN), Malwa Central College of Education for Women and other institutes.Throughout the day, groups of students — both boys and girls — were seen celebrating on the roads with colours and spray bottles. During peak hours, when colleges closed for the day, groups of youngsters gathered on the roads, leading to violations of traffic rules and creating chaotic conditions on the busy stretches.Several youngsters were spotted riding two-wheelers without helmets, indulging in triple riding and parking their cars and vehicles in the middle of roads. Their actions caused disruptions in the smooth flow of traffic on Rani Jhansi Road and College Road, making movement difficult for commuters.Locals and commuters had mixed reactions to the scenes. Some residents said the students were simply excited about the festival and expressing their joy. However, several shopkeepers and commuters expressed concern over the violations, stating that such celebrations should have taken place inside college premises or other safe spaces rather than on public roads, as roadside celebrations pose risks to both students and passing commuters.Students celebrating outside the colleges said they wanted to enjoy Holi with their friends a day earlier and planned to celebrate the festival itself with their families. They also maintained that they were trying their best to celebrate safely.
