Residents of the Kandi area in Hoshiarpur district express their growing frustration over the crumbling road infrastructure severely impacting their daily lives, even forcing students to miss school when it rains. Accusing the Punjab government of harbouring an impervious attitude towards their problems, a local group called ‘Diamond Youth Club Tappa’ has threatened to observe fast unto death starting August 15.
After facing the fury of the devastating flood last year, the Kandi area has been facing a worsening commuting crisis as the monsoon sets in, damaging already crumbling roads and causeways. On the other hand, the Punjab government remained impervious to the Public Works Department’s (PWD) repeated demands of funds for the repair of these impassable roads, locals alleged.
Roads, including significant routes such as Hoshiarpur-Mehangrowal road to Kot Patial, Nangal Jarial Road up to the Himachal Pradesh border, Dholbaha to Kokanet, Dholbaha to Bari Khar, Hariana Katahar Shamchaurasi Road, Hussainpur to Guru Ka Lambra, Bullowal to Khabian, Hoshiarpur By-pass to Dagana Kalana, Hariana Behroon GT Road to Kothe Prem Bagar, and Sikri Adda to Hariana Mehangrowal road, among others, have become nearly impassable.
The condition of causeways, crucial to connect rural communities, over seasonal streams Choes — swell unimaginably during the rainy season — is particularly dire, creating hazardous travel conditions.
The condition of causeways, crucial to connect rural communities, over seasonal streams Choes — swell unimaginably during the rainy season — is particularly dire, creating hazardous travel conditions. (Express Photo)
“These broken causeways and pothole-ridden roads are impassable, especially during rainy days. Children going to the school are the worst hit,” Mehangrowal resident Sunita Rani said. “These roads are life-threatening to the children like my daughters, Class V and Class VIII students when inundated.”
“How can we send our children to school?” asked another resident Amrit Singh, saying, “Last year, a school bus was badly stuck here, while a car was washed away.”
Residents have expressed disillusionment with the incumbent state government for showing“neglect” towards the Kandi region and warned their resentment will snowball into agitation if their problems are left unattended. “If the government does not address our issues promptly, we will launch a hunger strike starting August 15,” a ‘Diamond Youth Club Tappa’ member said.
Diamond Youth Club Tappa president Rakesh Sharma said, “The condition of these roads is so bad that during the rainy season, these villages are completely cut off from Hoshiarpur. Residents, including schoolkids, walk several kilometres in such dire conditions. Even a small amount of rain causes huge disruption as commuting becomes nearly impossible, and essential services like power and water supply are cut off.”
Residents have expressed disillusionment with the incumbent state government for showing“neglect” towards the Kandi region and warned their resentment will snowball into agitation if their problems are left unattended. (Express Photo)
Sharma said despite multiple complaints to the government, no solution was provided. “The government has neglected these villages. We have warned that if the CM and the Punjab Road and Transport minister fail to address these villages’ issues, we will observe a fast unto death at the Dholbaha bus stand starting August 15.”
Sharma said, “The estimated cost of the repair work is just Rs 1.25 crore, even then thegovernment is showing a lackadaisical attitude.”
PWD officials confirmed that they had submitted detailed estimates and repair requests last year, but no action was taken. Kamal Nain, Executive Engineer, PWD’s Road and Building department, Hoshiarpur division, acknowledged “the dire situation” but cited “lack of funds as a barrier in initiating the repair work’.
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