Another road collapse in Ludhiana has intensified scrutiny on the city’s civic infrastructure maintenance, as a section of the road near Sharma Halwai Chowk subsided.
The incident occurred near Timmy Baker, opposite City Plaza, on Suman Hospital Road, in proximity to the routes leading towards Basant Art Road and Deep Hospital Road.
This latest occurrence follows a series of similar road cave-ins previously reported at Saggu Chowk, Kitchlu Nagar, and Mingumri Chowk. A significant road collapse had also been reported recently at the heavily trafficked Model Town Chowk.
The recurring nature of these incidents across various locations has prompted residents to question the Municipal Corporation’s approach, suggesting a potential reliance on superficial repairs rather than addressing the fundamental causes of the subterranean issues.
Locals near Sharma Halwai Chowk reported that the road had experienced a similar subsidence issue previously. A smaller cavity had emerged, and upon being notified, the Municipal Corporation had reportedly filled the affected area with soil and undertaken repairs. However, the road has now sunk again, with the subsided area being substantially larger than before.
“This is not the first time the road has sunk here. Earlier, the cavity was smaller and it was filled, but the problem has returned in a bigger form. This raises question about what is happening underneath the road,” said resident Jaskaran Singh.
Another resident, Amanpreet Singh, emphasized the need for a thorough inspection of the site before any further repair work is initiated.
“If there is a damaged sewer line, water leakage or seepage underneath, filling the cavity will only provide temporary relief. The road could sink again and somebody could get hurt,” he stated, highlighting the potential safety hazards.
Residents expressed concerns that repeated cave-ins in busy commercial and residential areas pose a significant safety risk to motorists and pedestrians, especially when these cavities develop without prior warning.
The recent incident at Model Town Chowk is particularly notable due to the high volume of vehicular and pedestrian traffic, as well as its proximity to numerous hospitals, a gurdwara, schools, temples, and the main market area.
Arvind Sharma, a local resident, urged authorities not to treat the latest cave-in as an isolated event.
“After Saggu Chowk, Kitchlu Nagar, Mingumri Chowk and Model Town Chowk, we now have another road cave-in near Sharma Halwai Chowk. When the same problem keeps appearing at different locations, the civic authorities need to look beyond patchwork repairs and examine the underground infrastructure,” Sharma commented.
He called for the Municipal Corporation to conduct a detailed technical inspection at the site to ascertain the exact reason for the subsidence and to implement permanent repair solutions.
“A road should not keep sinking at the same place after being repaired. The cause has to be identified and rectified. Public safety must remain the priority,” Sharma added, underscoring the importance of addressing the root causes for public well-being.
❤️ Support Independent Journalism
Your contribution keeps our reporting free, fearless, and accessible to everyone.
Or make a one-time donation
Secure via Razorpay • 12 monthly payments • Cancel anytime before next cycle
(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)
The Chenab Times News Desk
