Ludhiana: While deep potholes previously troubled commuters, the sudden commencement of roadwork, marked by unscheduled closures and haphazard execution, has now created fresh hardships. Major arteries, including Gill Road, Dugri, Haibowal, and the Elevated Road from Jagraon Bridge to Jalandhar Bypass, are witnessing simultaneous construction. Residents argue that instead of starting work on all routes at once, authorities should have prioritised roads one by one to manage traffic flow.Meanwhile, digging for the canal-based water supply project has continued for months across several areas. A major grievance is that roads remain unmotorable long after pipes are laid. Activist Kuldeep Singh Khaira stated, “The current situation is not a sign of development but evidence of chaos and irresponsibility. With main roads like Malerkotla/Gill Road, Dugri, Jagraon Bridge, and Pakhowal Road blocked, daily transportation is a misery.” He questioned if the sudden bombardment is a rush to exhaust funds before the March 31 deadline or a tactic to make residents so desperate for completion that they overlook the quality of materials used.Civil Lines resident Gulshan Sharma emphasised that citizens want quality, not just haste, calling the simultaneous paving an administrative failure. Narinder Singh Masson of Karnail Singh Nagar highlighted the lack of traffic updates or alternative routes near the Gill Road bridge, leaving travelers stranded without assistance.However, MC officials claimed the winter season previously prevented construction. They added that certain projects under central assistance schemes must meet strict deadlines. Regarding the water supply digging, officials urged patience, noting that laying lines for the city’s canal-based supply is a massive task that requires time to complete.
