Ludhiana southern bypass project still incomplete, commuters irked

Despite missing several deadlines, the construction work under southern bypass (from Ludhiana-Doraha), the state government’s dream project launched in 2009 with much fanfare, is still going on at snail’s pace.Though the pending construction of the flyover near Doraha has been resumed recently, the work for construction of slip road from Pakhowal Road, Dugri Road, and near railway crossing is yet to be completed.

The speed limit and other caution boards have not been installed at various places on southern bypass roads despite some persons losing their lives in accidents. Even the unwanted diversions have not been closed, the road safety experts said.

In May, the PWD officials had claimed that the pending work on slip roads will be completed within one month, but to no avail. Even the construction of slipway from Pakhowal Road is pending.

The commuters from Pakhowal Road take a turn towards Jawaddi but they are using the wrong side to cover the distance of around 200 meters. Similarly, they drive vehicles on a wrong side from Dugri Bridge as the work on slipway towards Gill Road has not been completed till date.

Earlier, the public works department had claimed that it will be completed by December 2014 and then the officials claimed that it would take one more year but it is still incomplete.

Sources said the dream project with estimated cost of around Rs 328 crore was delayed due to lack of funds. Deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal had also posted photos of the Southern Bypass on his Facebook page. However, the fact is that the project is still incomplete.

“The department should ensure completion of the project at the earliest. The traffic jam is generally witnessed close to the old bridge near Doraha. The government should ensure installation of caution boards to avoid accidents,”said Inderjit Raipur, a resident of Pakhowal Road.

In March, the cracks appeared on a railway overbridge (over Ludhiana-Ferozepur railway line) that is also part of Southern Bypass.

“We are forced to travel in a wrong direction as the construction of slipway is not being completed. It is the responsibility of the authorities concerned to complete the work at the earliest,”said Manjit Singh of Urban Estate.“I will check the status of the project. Minor works on slip roads will be completed within next 20 days,”said PWD superintending engineer Varinderjit Singh.