The road dividers installed in Nurpurbedi town to enhance road safety have now become a cause for concern among the public. These dividers, located on the main road passing through Nurpurbedi and Bains town, lack adequate lighting and reflective tape that would ensure visibility from a distance at night. Consequently, road accidents—ranging from minor to severe—occur frequently, yet the concerned department continues to overlook this serious issue instead of addressing it.
The main road passing through Nurpurbedi connects numerous villages and towns in the region and experiences heavy vehicular traffic day and night. At night, when visibility drops, the dividers in the middle of the road are not clearly visible. Drivers from outside the area often fail to gauge the position of the dividers accurately and crash directly into them. According to locals, several vehicles have collided with these dividers in recent months, resulting in injuries to many people.
Blinking Lights Missing from Intersections for a Long Time
It is worth noting that the blinking lights installed at the intersections of dividers in Takhtgarh and Nurpurbedi have been missing for a long time. Most of these lights were either broken in accidents or stolen—likely due to their solar-powered nature—and the department has not deemed it necessary to reinstall them, a situation that is inviting accidents.
Safety Standards Ignored During Divider Construction: Ishupal Chaudhary
BJP leader Ishupal Chaudhary stated that safety standards were not adequately considered during the construction of the dividers. Typically, such dividers are equipped with reflectors, reflective tape, ‘cat’s eyes’ (road studs), and warning signs to ensure that road conditions are clearly visible to drivers at night. However, no such arrangements are visible on many of the dividers in Nurpur Bedi. Consequently, the risk of accidents remains constant.
Local shopkeepers, social activists, and motorists have repeatedly drawn the attention of the concerned officials and the Public Works Department (PWD) to this issue. Despite this, no concrete action has been taken so far. People allege that the department is failing to treat the matter seriously, even though it is fully aware of the problem. If necessary steps are not taken in time, a major accident could occur in the future.
**Overgrown grass on dividers and missing ‘eye-catchers’**
Tall grass has grown on both sides of these dividers, creating a persistent risk of accidents. Furthermore, the ‘eye-catchers’—installed to guide commuters during foggy weather—are missing from the road, and the department has not yet deemed it necessary to reinstall them. These deficiencies are effectively inviting accidents daily, and the department needs to address the issue urgently.
**Lack of warning boards and lighting on dividers poses a major risk to drivers: Dharampal Saini**
Dharampal, District Convener of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, stated that road safety is not limited merely to road construction; proper signage, lighting, and warning devices are equally essential. He noted that the likelihood of accidents could be significantly reduced if solar lights, reflective tape, and other safety equipment were installed on the dividers. If the government lacks funds, it should use the ‘Pir Baba Zinda Shaheed’ fund: Varinder Dhillon
Former Punjab Youth Congress President Barindr Singh Dhillon stated that accidents are occurring due to the aforementioned divider. While they have previously protested against the hazards posed by this divider, the Punjab government has paid no heed to it. In four years, the divider has merely been painted, yet no proper measures have been implemented to prevent accidents. If the current government lacks the funds for the divider, it should utilize the ‘Pir Baba Zinda Shaheed’ fund to install lights on both sides; this would illuminate the road and help prevent accidents.
Inspect the dividers and rectify deficiencies: City residents
City residents have demanded that the administration and the Public Works Department (PWD) inspect all dividers in Nurpur Bedi and immediately rectify any safety-related shortcomings. People argue that the administration should take necessary steps proactively rather than waiting for a major accident to occur. Since this road safety issue directly concerns the lives of ordinary citizens, the concerned department must fulfill its responsibility and implement appropriate measures immediately to ensure the safety of lives and property.
Roadwork is proceeding on a war footing; deficiencies will be addressed upon completion: JE Goldy
Junior Engineer Gurdyal Singh Goldy stated that work on the Nurpur Bedi-Rupnagar main road is progressing on a war footing, and efforts will be made to rectify all the aforementioned deficiencies once the project is complete. He added that speed breakers would be constructed in front of schools, and blinking lights that have been stolen or damaged would be reinstalled.
