3 Sirsa roads in bad shape, need repairs

Three critical roads in Sirsa — Dabwali Road, Rania Road and Rania Bypass — are in dire need of repair, posing significant risks to commuters. These heavily trafficked routes accommodate 70,000 to 80,000 vehicles daily, leading to considerable inconvenience to drivers and local shopkeepers due to rising dust levels.

Dabwali Road has remained a single-lane stretch for nearly a km, contributing to chronic traffic congestion and drainage issues. Although construction began to widen the lane and install drainage systems, the project has stalled, leaving the road incomplete. The Public Works Department (B&R) has plans to dual the road, complete with a divider and streetlights, at an estimated cost of Rs 1.05 crore.

Similarly, Rania Road is suffering from extensive damage, with large sections broken and a constant cloud of dust affecting nearby businesses. Local shopkeepers, including Om Parkash, Sukhram, and Sunil Kumar, expressed their frustration, noting that the dust from the heavy vehicle flow creates problems for everyone. Additionally, the numerous potholes make driving hazardous, often resulting in accidents as vehicles hit the bumps.

The Rania Bypass is also in poor condition, with damage reported at multiple points. Commuters like Rakesh Kumar, who travels daily from Rania to Sirsa for trading, highlighted that the poor road conditions are damaging their vehicles.

Sanjay Sabharwal, Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department, stated that repair work on Dabwali Road has resumed following the end of the model code of conduct, with an increased pace of construction. He also assured that the broken sections of Rania Road and Rania Bypass would be addressed soon. The current state of these roads underscores the urgent need for repairs to ensure the safety of commuters and support the local business community.