Who will fix Jalandhar roads? As city prepares for Diwali, roads ‘left out’ of repair, renovation plans
As the city prepares for the Diwali festival, residents find themselves grappling with more than just arrangements for the festivities — the city’s roads remain a pressing issue, casting a shadow over the celebrations. Potholes, damaged roads and frequent waterlogging continue to impact daily commuters, creating frustration among the locals who feel that the Municipal Corporation (MC) has failed to deliver a reliable solution.
While homes across the city are being cleaned and decorated, the streets appear neglected and worn out, raising a serious question: who will fix the city’s roads?
The Municipal Corporation has long been responsible for addressing civic infrastructure needs, but a series of changing MC commissioners, governments, MLAs and MPs has yet to bring about substantial improvement. Problems that have plagued the city for years, such as waste management, sewage and poor road conditions —show little signs of resolution. Though the upcoming MC elections have spurred a visible increase in roadwork, residents are sceptical, wondering if these efforts will continue or simply fade out once votes are cast.
This road was dug up months ago for work on laying a water pipeline, but the repairs are yet to be completed. Just a few days ago, my scooter got trapped in a pothole, causing me to fall. I was lucky to escape with minor injuries. — Shagun, A college student
A tour of the city today revealed an unsettling reality. While roadwork is indeed underway in certain areas, many of the city’s most crucial thoroughfares remain in deplorable condition. Roads leading to key locations, including the bus stand, railway station, Garha Road, Defence Colony, industrial area and the road in front of the Khalsa College besides major stretches like the Basti Nau-Basti Guzan route, are dotted by deep potholes and uneven surfaces. Commuters say monsoon rains have only worsened these problems, turning some roads into danger zones. Vehicles often get trapped in potholes, causing accidents that make commuting risky.
Narinder Singh, a resident, shared his disappointment with the current road maintenance efforts. “We see a lot of funds being allocated for roads, but without timely maintenance and high-quality material, these repairs won’t last long. We need accountability from the officials overseeing these projects,” he said, adding that regular inspections and standards are critical to ensure that any work done is durable.
Seasonal weather patterns restrict work on roads to ‘February to May’ and ‘September to mid-December’. The MC is working at full speed and has already issued tenders for roads awaiting repair. We expect all major repairs to be completed by November-end or early December. — Gautam Jain, MC Commissioner
For Shagun, a college student, who regularly commutes on the Shehanshah Palace-Kala Sanghian Road, the deteriorating condition of the stretch is a constant threat. “This road was dug up months ago for water pipeline work, but the repairs have yet to be completed. Just a few days back, my scooter got trapped in a pothole, causing me to fall. I was lucky to escape with minor injuries,” she said, noting that residents have repeatedly approached the MC with complaints, but little has been done.
Meanwhile, MC Commissioner Gautam Jain defended the Municipal Corporation’s efforts, saying that seasonal weather patterns restrict roadwork to two main windows: February to May and September to mid-December. According to Jain, the MC is working “at full speed” and has already issued tenders for roads awaiting repair. “By late November or early December, we expect nearly all major repairs to be completed,” he said.
But residents remain unconvinced and are tired of the “quick-fix” approach, calling instead for durable infrastructure that can withstand the test of time. They demand a transparent and accountable process that ensures the roads won’t deteriorate as soon as election season ends.
