Worn-Out Roads Around Station Cause Daily Hardships
Jalandhar City’s main railway station has become a major inconvenience for daily commuters and passengers due to the deteriorating condition of the roads in the station’s surrounding circulating area. The severely damaged roads are filled with loose gravel and broken patches, spreading like scattered kernels across the surface. This state of disrepair has turned a simple commute into a daily struggle for thousands of travelers who use the station to reach work, education centers, or other destinations.
Motorists, pedestrians, auto-rickshaw passengers, and even elderly residents are forced to navigate through this uneven terrain, risking injuries and vehicle damage. The condition is especially worse near the GRP (Government Railway Police) and RPF (Railway Protection Force) stations, close to scooter parking areas, where the roads are almost completely broken down.
Local commuters say that even basic walking has become difficult due to the rugged surface. Buses and other vehicles are forced to slow down drastically to avoid potholes, adding to congestion near the station entrance during peak hours. Many students and office-goers now leave earlier than usual to avoid delays caused by the poor road conditions.
Railway Department Cited for Delay in Repairs
According to residents, the Railway Engineering Department has not taken action to fix the roads despite regular complaints. Locals have observed railway officials regularly passing through these same roads, yet repairs have not been scheduled or executed. Authorities are reportedly yet to provide any timeline for when improvements might begin.
When questioned, railway officials explained that no repair work is being done currently due to ongoing plans to construct a new station building. However, there is still no clear schedule for when the construction of the new building will begin or when road work will follow.
Far from being a short-term inconvenience, the situation appears to be dragging on indefinitely. Officials have indicated that major work on the Jalandhar Cantt railway station must be completed before improvements at Jalandhar City station commence — meaning relief for commuters is still months away, if not longer.
Disruption Due to Nearby Overbridge Work
In addition to broken roads, residents are also facing difficulty because of construction work over the Domoria bridge. Old iron girders are being replaced with new cement slabs, and one side of the road under the bridge has been closed for work. This closure has been in place for over a week and may continue for several more days.
The closure has forced residents from nearby areas like Kishanpura Kazi Mandi, Surya Enclave, and Guru Gobind Singh Avenue to take longer routes to reach their destinations. Two-wheeler drivers and auto riders now either use alternate paths or are forced onto the newly-slabbed side of the bridge, creating frequent traffic jams. Locals are demanding the deployment of traffic police personnel at the site to manage the chaotic situation.
