Amritsar-Jalandhar National Highway, Punjab's most crowded lifeline, has been hit very hard by incessant rains, with cracks appearing on flyovers and causing panic over road safety. With the state of affairs in Punjab being flood-like, the dilapidated condition of the highway has resulted in the authorities closing some of its lanes and enforcing diversions to avoid major accidents.
A crack on the Chogitti flyover on Tuesday morning was seen suddenly, and the administration and traffic police immediately barricaded the damaged portion. Fortunately, this swift action prevented a possible tragedy. The cause of the damage is reportedly long water logging and leakage due to incessant rain over a period of a few days that put pressure on the flyover structure.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has also established that cracks have emerged on the Focal Point flyover. Emergency filling with RCC material was carried out in the evening on Wednesday to support the sagging Amritsar-bound lane. Barricades have since been installed to reroute heavy vehicles from the fractured parts, while police enforce diversions via Lumma Pind Chowk and Rama Mandi to ease pressure on the flyover.
Locals agitated at the slow reaction of the authorities. Randhawa Masanda village numberdar Jugal Kishore and colony leaders from nearby colonies warned that they will start a gherao of NHAI offices in Ludhiana and Jalandhar if repair work is not initiated on a war footing.
As per the Meteorological Department, Jalandhar has seen 216 mm rains in the first three days of September itself, while the total monsoon has exceeded 885 mm, escalating infrastructure issues.
Public Works Department and Municipal Corporation officials are inspecting the damage and have assured that technical repairs will commence shortly. With both Chogitti and Focal Point flyovers now hit, daily traffic became anxious. Citizens have been requested by the administration to follow diversions and remain calm, assuring that tough traffic management is being exercised to ensure minimal risks of accidents.
