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Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, February 19
The speed-breakers constructed by the Northern Railways on the Ladowali road are getting deadly with each passing day.
Due to their height and uneven surface, these have caused immense damage to over a dozen vehicles in the last few months. On Sunday, a woman broke the radiator pipe of her car while crossing over the speed-breaker. According to her, she was going to attend a marriage at a resort along the national highway along with her friends.
“As soon as we crossed the speed-breaker on Ladowali road, a loud voice was heard from beneath the car. Although the car didn’t stop, we didn’t realise the damage and went on driving until we reached the destination,” said the woman.
However, she said the car broke down immediately after entering the resort and smoke started coming out of it. “I got panicked and tried to get help from nearby service centres, but all were closed due to Sunday,” she said. She later called the police and sought their help to get her vehicle towed down to her home. The police immediately sent a recovery van to help her and also got her dropped at her home.
“I could not even enjoy the marriage and kept on waiting outside to get my damaged vehicle back home,” she rued.
The woman is now planning to lodge a complaint against railway officials for causing damage to her car and seek compensation for the harassment and embarrassment caused to her.
Ramesh Kumar, Assistant Engineer (works), Northern Railways, said although ample precautions were taken to construct the speed breakers as per the specifications set by the Ministry of Road Transport, however, sometimes the Municipal Corporation while recarpeting the roads also cover speed-breakers leading to an increase in their height. “However, I will look into the matter and if any fault is found in the implementation of the specifications, we will get it rectified soon,” said Kumar.
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