Face2News/Abohar.
Footpaths have been widened in Abohar taking a toll of already narrow roads. The ill-planned architectural decisions had been taken under the “Chokho Abohar” and “Kadam” projects by the previous government. “Chokho” a Rajasthani word means “beautiful” stands nowhere as the project has multiplied traffic pangs.
(MOREPIC1) The worst affected are citizens in and around Mandi Kesar Ganj (old grain market), developed in British rule. The Punjab Mandi Board had developed a new grain market for Arhtiyas near the highway but hundreds of agricultural product shops still exist in the old grain market. Entry of heavy vehicles has emerged as a major traffic problem.
The width of footpath on each side of the South Circular Road was increased from 7 to 9.6 feet with a 2 feet divider. This drastically reduced the width of 75-ft road. About 200 “rehriwalas” were shifted from the footpaths to the old Market Committee ground. Shopkeepers continue to misuse the footpath that has not been completed in a year.
Due to the entry of truck-trailers having 20-tyres, there have been a number of accidents especially outside Government High School. When these vehicles have to enter the old grain market from the school square, not only does the traffic come to a standstill for half an hour or more, many two-wheelers and e-rickshaws also get trapped. People are still unable to understand what was the justification for increasing the width of the footpath which was still not used by the pedestrians.
People said that the administration, despite repeated requests, is not inclined to consider any change in the footpath asserting that the plan was finalised by a central govt nominee. The traffic police and the city cops were unable to regulate the traffic. When no footpath existed on the equally wide Gaushala Road, what was the necessity of narrowing the Circular Road. Also, the divider on the North Circular Road looks like a mini wall.
