Khasa-Bhakna road stretch a nightmare for commuters

Travelling on the 4.5-km road stretch heading from Khasa to Bakna, a historic and important village, has become an ordeal for commuters. This crucial road, which connects dozens of villages beyond Bakna and the city, has been in a deplorable state, with large potholes dotting the stretch.

Khasa, known for its distillery, and Bakna, the native village of freedom fighter Baba Sohan Singh Bakna, are significant destinations, but commuters get a painful experience while driving down the battered road. The stretch is vital for residents of over two dozen villages, providing access to medical and educational facilities in the city.

To make the matters worse, an RCC slab on the nullah bridge near Chak Mukand village on the stretch has caved in, posing a significant safety risk. Strangely, no warning signs have been placed to alert commuters about the potential danger ahead.

Residents of the affected villages are frustrated with the authorities’ apathy. “We’’ve been complaining about the road’s condition for months, but nothing has been done,” said Bikkar Singh, a resident of Bakna village. He said the bad road has become not only a nuisance, but also a safety hazard.

Commuters have urged the authorities to take immediate action to repair the road and restore the bridge. The road is also used by government and private employees living in the city to reach their offices, workplaces and shops in the rural areas.

Expressing his woes, Sandeep Singh, a daily commuter, said, “The stretch gives us trouble daily, forcing us to shift vehicle gears every few seconds to cross hurdles.” He said people had to spend more on the vehicle maintenance as the battered road takes a toll on the wear and tear of vehicles.

Residents say the condition of the road was turning from bad to worse with each passing day as the authorities did not seem concerned about repairing it. They demanded that the stretch be re-carpeted to end the miseries commuters were experiencing.

Amritsar