Mohali: Heavy monsoon rains have once again exposed the poor drainage infrastructure in Zirakpur and Kharar, bringing traffic to a grinding halt and flooding roads, shops, and low-lying areas. The scenes of waterlogged streets, knee-deep water, and vehicles crawling for hours highlight an annual ordeal that residents say they have endured for over a decade.With the entire district reeling under the downpour on Monday, the worst affected were Zirakpur and Kharar, where commuters got stuck for hours in waterlogged stretches. Major crossings like Patiala Chowk, McDonald’s Crossing, the under-flyover zone, Chhat Light Point, and Singhpura Crossing witnessed bumper-to-bumper traffic and chaos throughout the day.“The roads are either riddled with potholes or dug up for repairs. Once it rains, the water hides the potholes, making it extremely dangerous to drive,” said Kuljit Singh, a shopkeeper near Patiala Crossing. “Every year, it’s the same situation. We are fed up.”A bird’s-eye view from the Zirakpur flyover showed long queues of stranded vehicles, with gushing water reaching the wheels of cars and buses. The town, which serves as a vital transit route for traffic heading toward Delhi and other parts of Punjab, turned into a choke point, severely affecting movement.In Kharar, similar scenes unfolded as low-lying areas were submerged. Shops and homes in affected neighborhoods saw rainwater entering premises. “We had to raise the entrance step ourselves to prevent water from entering. Thankfully, it worked this time,” said Ramesh Jain, a shop owner.Amarjit Singh, who was driving to Chandigarh, shared his frustration: “It was a nightmare. We were stuck for over two hours. This is not just rain but authorities’ mismanagement and apathy. People suffer every year, and nothing changes.”Traffic police personnel were seen struggling in the rain to ease congestion, but the sheer volume of water and vehicles left them helpless. While they managed to prevent gridlock in some areas, relief came only after hours of delays.Despite repeated appeals over the years, residents allege no lasting solution has been provided by local civic bodies or the municipal council. With the monsoon season far from over, residents fear more such days lie ahead unless immediate remedial action is taken. MSID:: 122816082 413 |
