Traffic in Patiala descended into chaos on Tuesday after farmer unions, protesting erratic power supply during the peak paddy sowing season, joined the ongoing agitation by contractual employees of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL). Protesters blocked both sides of the road near Fountain Chowk and Sherawala Chowk, leaving traffic police struggling to manage diversions as hundreds of commuters remained stranded for long periods in sweltering heat and high humidity.
Traffic Snarls Spread Across City
The roadblocks triggered a cascading effect, with traffic snarls spreading to several other parts of the city. Long queues of vehicles were reported on adjoining roads as motorists searched for alternative routes. Sandeep Singh, who was caught in the congestion near Seranwala Gate, said common people were suffering despite having no reason. "I have been stranded here for nearly an hour in this oppressive heat and humidity," he said.
Poonam Singla, who was stuck on a scooter with her five-year-old son, said it was invariably the common man who bore the brunt of such protests. She questioned why grievances against the authorities should translate into hardship for ordinary citizens.
Minor Accidents and Heated Arguments
The prolonged gridlock also led to minor accidents and heated arguments as frustrated motorists attempted to break queues to get out of the traffic, further aggravating the situation. Yashpal, an e-rickshaw driver, expressed resentment over what he described as the administration's unequal response. He alleged that while traffic was cleared quickly for VIP movement, ordinary commuters were left to fend for themselves. "It seems the common man has been left to suffer," he said.
Background of the Protest
The farmers' unions joined the protest to highlight the issue of prolonged power cuts during the critical paddy sowing season, which they say is affecting agricultural productivity. The contractual PSPCL employees are demanding regularisation of their services and better working conditions. The convergence of the two groups has intensified the pressure on the Punjab government to address both sets of grievances.
Traffic police officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted that the scale of the protest overwhelmed their resources. Diversions were put in place, but the sheer volume of protesters and vehicles made it difficult to ease congestion. Commuters reported waiting for over an hour at major junctions, with some abandoning their vehicles and walking to their destinations.
Impact on Daily Life
The disruption affected not only individual commuters but also emergency services, with reports of ambulances getting stuck in the snarls. Local businesses near the protest sites reported a sharp drop in footfall, adding to the economic strain. The situation is likely to continue if no resolution is reached between the protesting groups and the state government.
