Frustrated by a series of tragic fatalities and official inaction, the residents of Nabha took to the streets on Sunday in a powerful demonstration on Circular Road. The protest was triggered by four deaths in road accidents within a mere 40 days on a notorious 4-kilometer stretch that locals have grimly nicknamed a 'killer road'.
Citizen Outcry and Demands
Carrying banners in both Punjabi and English, the gathered crowd voiced their anger against what they termed as administrative apathy. Their core demands were clear and urgent. They called for the immediate removal of roadside encroachments that have dangerously narrowed the carriageway, making it perilous for both vehicles and pedestrians.
Beyond just protesting, the community has transitioned into a self-help mode, taking road safety into their own hands. In a symbolic and practical move, they began installing low-cost reflectors and other safety aids using discarded materials like old car tyres. The entire DIY safety project cost them only around Rs 1,500, and they have vowed to send the bill to the government authorities, particularly the Public Works Department (PWD), as a statement of their frustration.
A Deadly Stretch of Road
Advocate Reet Iqbal Singh, a local resident, provided a chilling account of the recent tragedies. He highlighted a case where a 35-year-old factory worker from Patiala lost his life after a truck hit his motorcycle near the Focal Point side of the road. This was not an isolated incident. Prior to this, a nine-year-old boy, a 19-year-old man, and a 30-year-old man were all killed in separate crashes on the same road within a single week.
Singh pinpointed the primary causes of these accidents: the frequent movement of heavy vehicles, a complete absence of speed-control measures, and bottlenecks created by illegal encroachments. This deadly combination has made Circular Road a constant threat, especially for those on two-wheelers and pedestrians.
Administrative Response and Promises
The current protest follows an earlier candlelight march that drew over a thousand concerned citizens. That previous show of force did yield some results. The district administration ordered the removal of several encroachments along the road. Furthermore, the Nabha municipal council approved a budget of Rs 58 lakh for the installation of eight speed tables and two traffic lights.
When contacted, PWD Executive Engineer Gaurav Singla confirmed that proposals had been passed for the traffic lights and speed tables. He added that a technical study by an engineering institute was tasked with identifying the exact locations for these speed-calming measures. Talks are also underway to deploy speed guns and increase challans (fines) for speeding vehicles. However, Nabha SDM Kanu Garg remained unavailable for comment despite repeated attempts to make contact.
The situation in Nabha remains tense, with citizens forced to become vigilantes for their own safety on a road that has already claimed too many lives.
