Critical safety failures on the crucial Ludhiana-Delhi National Highway are amplifying the danger of deadly accidents as dense winter fog starts to envelop the region. A recent ground investigation has exposed a perilous mix of non-working streetlights, vanished road markings, and broken surfaces along one of India's busiest transport routes.
Infrastructure Gaps Create Death Traps
Recent inspections have uncovered significant safety lapses that, according to experts, should have been fixed before winter began. Extensive sections of the highway connecting Khanna and Doraha are plunged into complete darkness because of malfunctioning road lights. Vital roadside markings, designed to direct drivers when visibility is poor, are either completely faded or hidden under heavy dust layers near critical points like Dhandari, Manji Sahib, and Bija village.
The road surface is described as "uneven and bumpy" near Libra village, with major potholes scattered along the route from Khanna to Doraha. Kamal Soi, a member of the National Road Safety Council, highlighted that a staggering 15% to 20% of yearly fatal accidents happen during this six-week peak fog period, typically from mid-December through January.
"The absence of proper infrastructure, including reflective cat eyes and clear lane markings, directly causes fatal multi-vehicle pile-ups," Soi stated. He emphasized that agencies should ideally ensure 24/7 patrols to stop vehicles from parking on the road, which turns into a death trap in low visibility. Soi also criticized authorities for not establishing necessary checkpoints at known accident-prone "black spots."
Public Anger Over High Toll Fees vs. Poor Maintenance
The highway's dismal condition has sparked strong criticism from local activists, who highlight the high toll fees collected from users. P.D. Bansal, president of the Lok Sewa Club in Khanna, pointed out the disparity, saying, "The concerned agencies collect hefty tolls but fail to manage the road properly." He observed that road quality is maintained only for a few kilometers near toll plazas, seemingly to justify the fee collection, while the remaining long stretches suffer from severe neglect.
Calls for Immediate Emergency Action
With the thick fog season now underway, residents and road safety advocates are demanding urgent emergency repairs to prevent further loss of life. Their immediate demands include:
- Repainting all reflective road markings and lane dividers.
- Fixing the non-functional street lighting systems on a war footing.
- Filling potholes and repairing the deteriorating road surface.
- Implementing strict patrolling to manage traffic and prevent roadside parking.
This vital corridor, notorious for low-visibility collisions and chain-reaction accidents during winter, remains a ticking time bomb until these basic infrastructure issues are addressed on priority.
