Residents of Urban Estate Phase 1 have raised serious safety concerns over the absence of traffic calming measures near the Sabji Mandi area, alleging that the stretch has become increasingly accident prone due to speeding vehicles and a sharp rise in traffic flow after the opening of the Subhana Underpass.
Residents said the newly carpeted main road near the Mandi curve, which connects several residential pockets of Urban Estate, has effectively turned into a high speed corridor. The situation, they claimed, becomes particularly dangerous on Wednesdays and Saturdays when the Sabji Mandi operates and vehicular movement surges sharply.
Locals alleged that vehicles, especially cars and two wheelers, often speed through the narrow stretch and negotiate the sharp curve recklessly, putting pedestrians at constant risk. Elderly residents, children and daily commuters are among the worst affected as crossing the road has become increasingly unsafe during peak hours.
Demanding immediate intervention, residents have sought the installation of speed breakers, sign boards and other traffic calming measures near the Mandi curve to force vehicles to slow down before entering the residential zone.
Harjinder Singh, a resident of the area, said he had been repeatedly raising the matter for the past three months, but the authorities are yet to take any action. “I have been writing for the past three months regarding the urgent need for speed breakers near the Mandi curve as vehicles pass through the stretch at very high speed and the situation becomes more dangerous on Mandi days, especially Wednesdays and Saturdays. Several minor accidents have already taken place and we fear that a major mishap could occur if immediate safety measures are not installed," he said.
When contacted, Rajnish Dogra, Superintending Engineer of the B&R branch, Municipal Corporation Jalandhar said, “As per the High Court’s directions, we cannot install speed breakers on main roads as it can only be installed near hospitals and schools. However, we will look into the matter to install signboards and taking other necessary measures to address the issue."