I think that we Indians have too much patience for tolerating every evil and problems in society. Roads are considered the most effective and widely used mode of transportation. The public faces inconvenience due to bad conditions of roads. It also has adverse impact on health of the economy. No doubt the local government has provided flyovers for the smooth flow of traffic, but it forgets to carry out necessary repairs particularly on damaged expansion joints. Sometimes a driver has to suddenly apply breaks of his/her vehicle to cross damaged joints, which can result in mishap or pile of vehicles coming from behind. The condition of all flyovers in the city is deplorable. Expecting women and small kids can get severely injured while crossing expansion joints in their vehicles. The Municipal Corporation (MC) should form area wise teams to check conditions of roads, particularly bridges and flyovers. These should be repaired within the stipulated time to prevent accidents. The Local Government Department should display contact numbers at prime locations and provide email address so that residents can lodge complaints and inquire about any delay in addressing their issues. As residents pay taxes to the civic body, they have the right to basic amenities. People should recall elected councillor if he/she fails to address issues in his/her ward. 

Dr Mohd Saleem Farooqui

Development at snail’s pace

Our governments are lumber and take years to complete any project. Departments concerned dig up places for development, create havoc in lives of the people, leave roads and bridges incomplete, which creates traffic snarls. Looks like planning is piecemeal, fund allotment is tardy, execution is at sweet will and inspections are given a go by. One side of the Jagraon Bridge was closed long ago. There seems to be no chance to construct it in the near future. Girders jetting out from the partly under construction overbridges are life threatening as there is no proper marking on sites. One can collide with them due to poor visibility in the night. All projects must be finished in given time. It seems that corruption keeps everything on a slow burner.

Major Gurdeep S Samra (retd)

Approach High Court for grievance redressal

Flyovers in Ludhiana show signs of major structural damage, especially faulty expansion joints, which pose a threat to lives of commuters. It’s pity that the Municipal Corporation (MC) has even failed to carry out temporary repair of joints with surfacing material. Earlier, the railway over bridge on the Dholewal Bridge to Cheema Chowk stretch was closed for the traffic in the last week of November, 2014, to replace expansion joints. But the work carried out by the authorities did not serve the purpose as joints were inappropriately fixed in haste under political pressure just to appease contractors. Besides, the temporary patchwork done on expansion joints has only worsened the situation. Motorists experience bumpy rides because the patchwork has not been done properly. In general, the maintenance involves timely cleaning of joints to remove any debris as well as deposits of salt due to the winter gritting period. Further, timely maintenance is important because defective, failed or leaking expansion joints can lead to fatal structural collapse. City residents must join hands with social organisations and file public interest litigation (PIL) in the court to get rid of the problem. There is a need to mobilise the masses to say no to taxes if there is no reform, improvement or development of any kind. 

Ravi Chander Garg

Ensure construction as per specifications

Damaged joints are an open invitation to road mishaps. City residents can play a positive role in waking up the authorities to undertake repair of expansion joints on flyovers. The first step is to lodge complaint with the Municipal Corporation about spots where expansion joints on flyovers exist. Residents must follow up the action taken on their complaint and keep the authorities reminding that officials concerned must undertake required repairs of joints. It will surely awaken the authorities and prompt them to take required steps. Expansion joints must be covered so that vehicles do not get stuck on flyovers. While taking charge of the flyover from contractor, who built it, the MC must ensure that expansion joints are as per approved specifications. The MC must pay compensation if an individual suffers damage or loss due to expansion joints. The civic body will be more active and attend to such complaints on time if such condition is imposed.

Dr G Dev

Regular monitoring can prevent mishaps

Damaged expansion joints on flyovers can lead to mishaps. What can we do to wake up the authority? Joints are necessary to allow natural expansion and contraction that occurs due to temperature changes and natural vibration within the earth. Without these joints, large cracks can appear across roads leading to more damage. Patients suffering from backache, old-age persons and expecting women can bear the brunt of damaged expansion joints. But the authorities show no concern for problems that residents are facing. Dirt and debris need to be kept out of expansion joints as it can trap moisture in joints, which can further lead to cracks. Do not allow water to stand on expansion joints for long as it can penetrate below cracks and under the floor slabs. Remove weeds or plants, which grow on expansion joints. Regular auditing, fixing accountability and speeding the monitoring process can avoid any type of mishaps. 

Dr Jasdeep Kaur

Don’t depend on someone else for safety

Flyovers ease traffic problems and save time. But what happens when these are under construction? The centre of the road is blocked as big fences are erected to cover half of the road. It not only increases traffic snarls, but also the number of accidents. As the whole centre of the road is covered, visibility of the opposite side, too, becomes zero. Speeding vehicles overturn and collide with vehicles coming from the opposite direction. A flyover is under construction on the Ferozepur road in the city. One or two accidents take place everyday near this flyover. People should become self conscious. Why to depend on someone else for own life? Go slow on turns or wherever you see construction. Instead holding strikes be the change you want to see.

Inayat Sidhu

Authorities do not pay attention

The proverb “Prevention is better than cure” is never clearly understood by the Local Bodies Department. It seems to have no value for human life, which is exposed to risks on flyovers and roads. The authorities are strict about rules like not covering faces while driving, but rarely pay attention to their actual tasks, including time to time checking and maintenance of roads. Strict vigil should be maintained during construction of these structures so that there are no chances of accidents. Human life is priceless and should be properly cared for. Citizens pay crores as taxes from their hard earned money. They deserve basic facilities at least. The people should stand up and speak on every platform be it in schools, colleges, offices, roads or societies to create awareness for their own safety. They should question officials of the MC for their carelessness. Also, they must wear helmet for protection.

Manmeet Kaur

Erect warning boards near damaged joints 

Ludhiana is developing at fast pace. The city’s landscape is dotted with many constructed and under-construction flyovers. These are essential for the smooth connectivity with different parts of the city. Damaged expansion joints on flyovers offer a bumpy ride, which can also prove fatal for riders. Residents should approach the local authority and bring the issue in its knowledge. Warning sign boards should be placed near expansion joints, which need urgent repairs. It can save lives of many commuters. These joints are also risky for animals. Once, a horse got stuck in a joint on the Jagraon Bridge. Residents should raise their voice to highlight the problem as it concerns theirs and their loved ones lives. If the authorities fail to act despite repeated requests then corporate houses and residents can come together to take do the job on their own.

Deepak Nagpal

Broken expansion joints can prove fatal 

There is a flyover near the Mata Rani Chowk. It was constructed many years ago. Big cracks have appeared on one side of this flyover. Many trains pass under this flyover. Lives of the people, who commute on this flyover and passengers of trains passing beneath it, will always be at risk if these cracks are not repaired. A few years ago cracks had appeared on the Clock Tower flyover. Residents informed officials of the Public Works Department (PWD), who immediately repaired cracks on the flyover. It’s duty of residents to inform the department concerned and the Municipal Corporation so that timely action can be taken prevent any mishap and save lives of the people. 

Rajvinder Singh

OPEN HOUSE COMMENT

Residents have right to basic amenities

Minna Zutshi

City residents can adopt a proactive approach to wake up the authorities, who are indifferent to problems of the city. Instead of waiting endlessly for the authorities to address their problems, residents can approach officials concerned to apprise them of the issue clearly and unambiguously so that it does not get entangled in the bureaucratic maze. Residents can very well resort to peaceful protests if any laxity on part of the authorities poses a risk to lives and wellbeing of the people. 

Safe roads, potable water – the city has a right to these basic civic amenities. And residents have every right to urge the authorities to provide these basic facilities! 

OPEN HOUSE QUESTION

Are schools in the city justified in compelling their students to buy books from specific bookshops? 

ludhiana.feedback@gmail.com