Amritsar to Tarn Taran Road Turns into Accident Hotspot
A 20-kilometre stretch of road connecting Amritsar to Tarn Taran has been dubbed an accident hotspot due to its poor condition and lack of infrastructure. The single-lane road, which links the Malwa region to the holy city of Amritsar, is plagued by a high volume of mixed-use traffic, including heavy vehicles, and a lack of dividers.
"It’s a miracle that more accidents don’t happen on this stretch," said Tejwant Singh, a resident of a nearby village, in an interview with The Tribune India. "Accidents are quite common here. We’ve brought the matter to the attention of the authorities, but nothing seems to be happening."
Just last month, a bus carrying 20 passengers fell into a seasonal rivulet, narrowly avoiding a major tragedy. Some passengers sustained minor injuries in the incident, which is just one of many accidents to occur on this stretch of road. According to The Tribune India, the number of autos plying on this route has surpassed that of buses, with many of these vehicles failing to comply with basic traffic norms.
"The autos that ply on this route hardly follow any traffic rules," said Arshpreet Singh, a daily commuter on this stretch. "They put the lives of commuters at risk every time they get on the road." The situation is further exacerbated during harvest season, when trucks are parked on either side of the road, creating a hazard for other drivers. Additionally, road barricades put in place by the police often make the situation worse.
Local residents have also raised concerns about the state of the seasonal rivulet, which has been used to tackle wastewater issues. According to The Tribune India, a portion of the rivulet has been diverted to alleviate the issue, but this has resulted in a foul smell emanating from the area. Manish Rambani, a local resident, has called for a section of the rivulet to be covered, particularly near Gurdwara Baba Nodh Singh.
The Attari Market Committee chairperson, Seema Sodhi, has revealed that plans to expand the road were put in place over a year ago, but the project has stalled due to objections from authorities. "The foundation stone for the expansion was laid, but then the authorities asked us to plant a certain number of saplings to compensate for the trees that would be uprooted," she said. While some progress has been made on related projects, including a bridge from Nanaksar to Bala Chak village and a 14-kilometre stretch from Chabba to Mandiala, locals are still waiting for the road to be upgraded.
As The Tribune India reports, residents and commuters alike are calling for urgent action to address the safety concerns on this stretch of road. With the current state of the road posing a significant risk to drivers and pedestrians, it remains to be seen when the authorities will take concrete steps to alleviate the situation.
The road’s condition and its accident-prone nature have been highlighted by The Tribune India and the local community. Both have demanded urgent attention from authorities to address the pressing concerns.
Residents and commuters will be hoping that their voices are heard and that tangible steps are taken to upgrade this vital stretch of road. As it stands, the 20-kilometre Amritsar to Tarn Taran road remains a pressing concern for those who use it daily. The Tribune India will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as more information becomes available.
