Residents and commuters in Ludhiana are raising alarm over a dangerous trend that combines with the region's notorious winter fog: a proliferation of unauthorized vendors setting up shop directly on major highways. This illegal encroachment is significantly heightening the risk of accidents, especially during periods of low visibility.
Vendors Occupy High-Speed Corridors, Ignoring Safety
The problem is most acute on key routes like National Highway 44 and the Ludhiana-Raikot road. Here, vendors have established makeshift stalls selling a variety of goods, from fruits and vegetables to snacks and tea. These stalls often operate right on the roadside or even partially on the carriageway, forcing vehicles to swerve unexpectedly. The situation turns critical during the morning and evening hours when dense fog blankets the area, drastically reducing visibility for drivers.
Local commuters report near-misses on a daily basis. "When fog reduces visibility to just a few meters, suddenly encountering a stationary vehicle or a group of people around a stall is terrifying," shared a regular driver on the NH-44 stretch. The vendors, while seeking livelihood, are operating in blatant violation of traffic rules and public safety norms, creating an environment ripe for collisions.
Authorities Acknowledge the Problem, Action Pending
Officials from the Ludhiana traffic police and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) have confirmed the issue. They acknowledge that these unauthorized vends are illegal encroachments on highway land, meant for free vehicular movement. The vendors not only obstruct traffic but also pose a grave danger to themselves and road users.
Despite the clear risk, a sustained and effective drive to remove these encroachments appears lacking. While periodic actions are mentioned, the vendors often return, indicating a need for a more permanent solution and consistent enforcement. The authorities face the challenge of balancing enforcement with the socio-economic realities of the vendors, but public safety on high-speed roads must remain the non-negotiable priority.
A Call for Immediate Intervention
The combination of fog and roadside encroachments is a recipe for disaster. Citizens and road safety experts are urging the district administration, NHAI, and traffic police to launch a coordinated and decisive drive. Suggested measures include:
- Immediate clearance of all stalls from highway shoulders and right of way.
- Identifying alternative, safer locations away from high-speed traffic for vendors to operate.
- Increasing patrols and fines during fog-prone hours to deter illegal vending.
- Public awareness campaigns highlighting the severe accident risks posed by such activities in poor visibility.
With the winter fog season ongoing, the need for action is urgent. Preventing a major tragedy requires proactive steps to ensure that highways meant for safe transit are not transformed into hazardous zones due to illegal encroachments and administrative inaction.
