Ahmedgarh-Payal road needs repairs

Mahesh Sharma

Mandi Ahmedgarh/Payal, October 18

The Ahmedgarh-Payal road, passing partially beside the Bathinda branch of the Sirhind canal, used to be the first choice of residents of the region for commuting between the national and state capital, besides major shrines of communities and their respective localities.

Now, courtesy the non-motorable condition of the vital road due to the potholed surface and eroded berms, commuters have started taking the alternative longer route via Ludhiana and Malerkotla to reach their destinations.

Many try their luck using narrow link roads with the help of navigators or villagers.

Even though minor accidents have been occurring due to the dilapidated condition of the road in the past, the authorities concerned have failed to undertake repair or reconstruction work despite repeated appeals by residents and civic bodies of the region. Residents have once again urged the government to impress upon the authorities in the Public Works Department to get the road reconstructed.

Residents, led by social activist Dr Ravinder Sharma and former councillor Bhoj Raj Sharma, alleged that the administration had failed in the upkeep of the Ahmedgarh- Payal road. Davinder Singh Jaggie, a panch from Fatehpur village in the Payal constituency, said even voluntary repairs undertaken by devotees of religious places, situated along the road, did not bring any relief.

Payal legislator Lakhvir Singh Lakha said the Chief Minister had advised senior functionaries in the PWD and the Finance Department to ensure that the potholed roads of the segment were reconstructed or repaired without further delay.

Sources in the PWD said the process for seeking bids for the reconstruction of the road had been started earlier, but could not be completed due to wants of funds. “Fresh tenders will be floated again after funds for the purpose are received,” said an official.