Sahnewal residents resent unrestricted entry of heavy vehicles on overbridge, police inaction

Residents and commuters of Sahnewal and nearby areas seem to have lost their peace of mind as well as patience ever since the overbridge of Sahnewal was erected and the entry of heavy vehicles like tractor trailers was unofficially allowed. Though the entry of heavy vehicles is banned from 8 am to 8 pm, it seems that the heavy vehicle drivers have legalised it to the extent that they give a fig to any such signage and enter the town without any fear whatsoever. This has become a major cause of traffic congestion in the town also.

Worst of all, accidents involving commuters and these heavy vehicles have become both common and acceptable to the drivers of these vehicles, who seldom slacken their speed in the teeming town. Despite repeated requests by residents, commuters and shopkeepers and news in papers, the nuisance persists.

“The trailers have till date resulted in a number of major and minor incidents due to their huge size and lack of judgment on the part of the driver. Moreover, the speed at which they cross the humming Sahnewal chowk gives many a chill in the spine,” said Gurmail, who runs a medical store in Sahnewal.

Meanwhile, the recent accident involving another child, 19-year-old Nikhil Garg of Sahnewal, day before yesterday has once again fueled anger in residents against the police for alleged inaction. “It is next to impossible for a single cop to handle the commotion of the town as is the case. The scenario, however, changes entirely when a VIP is expected here. There is no dearth of cops then and the traffic congestion disappears like thin air,” ridicules Gurmail.

“While the trailers and trucks have a field day on the main market road of Sahnewal, other vehicles remain stranded. The heavy vehicles have literally made us helpless. We really lament the moment when we urged the government to provide a permanent solution to our problem of a level crossing at Sahnewal by erecting a flyover,” rues Harbans Singh Sains of Sahnewal.

Commissioner of Police, Ludhiana, Kuldeep Singh Chahal, “I shall see to it that a policeman is deployed permanently to see to it that no heavy vehicle enters the town during the stipulated time. Moreover, we shall definitely work on the proposal of installing traffic lights at Sahnewal chowk.”