2 weeks Ago By Shariq Majeed
Ludhiana: Many road lights on the elevated highway inaugurated by the Union government last year are non-functional, increasing the risk of accidents. The elevated highway extends from Samrala Chowk to Cheema Chowk, Gill Chowk, Bus Stand, Bharat Nagar Chowk (where one leg goes towards Durga Temple) and ends at Ferozepur Road toll booth. A drive through the highway from Ferozepur Road, near Canal, to near Bus Stand late evening suggested many road lights were not working from Ferozepur Road, near Canal, to near Aarti Chowk.
Also, majority of road lights were not working between Aarti Chowk and near Bhai Bala Chowk, and things are no different between Bhai Bala Chowk and near Bharat Nagar Chowk. As per reports, many road lights on the road between Samrala Chowk and Gill Chowk were no-functional as well. An NHAI official said they are facing problems of theft related to wires connected to road lights, especially around Gill Chowk, and the same has been brought to the notice of the authorities concerned.
After a video of the non-functional road lights was shared with a district official deputy commissioner Sakshi Sawhney, she said that civil administration will take this up with NHAI and get all the road lights functional. She agreed that a poorly lit road can result in accidents. Meanwhile, a road safety expert said that even as an accident occurs due to a mix of factors, but poorly lit road does increase the risk of mishaps.
International road safety expert Kamal Soi said the elevated highway is not properly lit and road is uneven, so sooner or later it may become a killer stretch. He added that there is around 20-25% increase in risk of an accident due to poor lightening or not properly lit roads. Residents are also worried about it.
Kapil Arora, a Ludhiana-based social activist said proper lighting of the elevated highway is very important as there are chances of over-speeding during night hours as no one is there to monitor speed. The social activist said that the agency managing the road should also have a system (software) to check which lights are functional and which are not. Water issue After the issue of water falling from the elevated road was highlighted, NHAI officials got the drainage system in place at many places along the road.
We also published the following articles recently PMC starts work to reduce slope near Gangadham Chowk The Pune Municipal Corporation has started a project to reduce the slope at two critical points on the road between Gangadham Chowk and Aai Mata Mandir. Following a fatal accident in June, this initiative aims to enhance motorist safety. Estimated at Rs 11 crore, the work is expected to finish within six months.
GK Veedhi-Seeleru road restored for light vehicles The Alluri Sitarama Raju district administration has reopened the GK Veedhi-Seeleru road for light vehicles after heavy rains caused landslides and washed away bridges. Heavy vehicles remain banned for a week. Relief efforts include camps, evacuations, and rice distribution.
Damage estimates exceed Rs. 34 crore. Highways secretary inspects road projects in Trichy R Selvaraj, Secretary to state highways and minor ports department, inspected key road projects in Trichy district to ensure quality and adherence to plans.
Among the projects reviewed were a Rs 17.2 crore highway widening initiative connecting Crawford and E Pudur with Panjapur's upcoming bus terminus, and a new bridge near Lalgudi town funded by Nabard..
