No signs, barricading at sites of ongoing projects in Ludhiana

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 14

Commuters are a harried lot these days due to the ongoing sewer work to lay new pipes near Luxmi Cinema and JMD Mall on Brown Road, Ludhiana. Like other projects, no traffic diversion or project plan boards have been displayed at this project site too.

Four-wheeler drivers are unable to take the road as a portion is blocked and unlevelled near Luxmi Cinema, while two-wheeler riders face inconvenience in crossing the area.

Road near Clock Tower still unlevelled

After installing stormwater drainage pipes on old GT Road near Clock Tower, the MC is yet to ensure levelling of the road surface. As a result, commuters continue to face inconveniences. The civic body had earlier asked the contractor concerned to ensure levelling of the road.

Interestingly, a caution board regarding the ongoing sewer work has been displayed by Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board (PWSSB) near the mall but the work is actually being conducted by MC Ludhiana through a contractor.

A local businessman said, “No diversion plan has been displayed on the stretch that also leads to a major hospital. The road portion is blocked due to which cars are unable to move ahead. Though there are other routes but traffic diversion plan must be displayed for the convenience of commuters. The project must be completed timely.”

It is a common scene in the city that boards cautioning about an ongoing project or traffic diversion plans are generally not displayed at the project sites and the commuters are left to suffer. Moreover, no barricading has been done along the portion that was dug up for the sewer related work.

MC executive engineer Pardeep Saluja said the old sewer lines had got damaged due to which new lines were being laid. The work to install the sewer pipes was earlier going on in the internal streets of Gwala Mohalla for the past one month and now work under the same project was being carried out on the main road from near JMD Mall to Karimpura Chowk.

“We are expecting to get the remaining work completed within the next 10 days. I had asked the officials concerned to ensure barricading,” he added.