Jalandhar, October 23: Frustrated over the deteriorating condition of a road in Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar, shopkeepers staged a protest against the local administration, demanding immediate repairs. The road, which leads towards the Model Town cremation ground, has reportedly remained in poor condition for a considerable period, causing inconvenience to residents, motorists and businesses operating in the area.
The protest was organised by members of the local Market Association under the leadership of Youth Akali Dal president Gagandeep Singh Gaggi. The protesting traders expressed resentment over what they described as prolonged administrative negligence and questioned why repair work had not begun despite the difficulties faced by people using the road every day.
According to the shopkeepers, several stretches of the road are covered with potholes, making it difficult for vehicles and pedestrians to pass safely. They claimed that multiple accidents have occurred due to the damaged surface, with motorists, elderly residents and children reportedly suffering injuries after losing their balance or falling while travelling through the area. The traders said the situation becomes particularly troublesome for people visiting the nearby cremation ground.
The shopkeepers also raised concerns about the impact of the damaged road on their businesses. They claimed that customers have increasingly started avoiding the market because of the poor road conditions, affecting daily sales and creating financial difficulties for local traders. They argued that maintaining roads in a prominent residential and commercial neighbourhood should be a basic responsibility of the authorities.
Protesters further claimed that a foundation stone associated with the proposed road construction had been uprooted around six months ago, yet no visible progress had been made towards starting the work. They questioned the delay and demanded that the authorities clarify when the road would finally be repaired or reconstructed.
The Market Association warned that the protest could be intensified if the administration failed to respond promptly. Some traders also threatened to symbolically hand over the keys to their shops as a mark of protest, saying they could not continue operating their businesses under such conditions.
The protesters urged the municipal authorities to inspect the damaged stretch, announce a clear timeline for repairs and take immediate measures to ensure safe passage for residents, customers and commuters. An official response from the concerned authorities was not available in the information provided.
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