It seems like the traffic problem of Jalandhar is set to get worse as Mayor Vaneet Dhir has directed the company to complete the Surface Water Project within the given deadline. As per reports, several roads in Jalandhar will be closed fully and partially, depending on the work of the Surface Water Project. Surface Water Project worth Rs 808 crore aims to supply clean drinking water from the Sutlej river to city households. In order to complete this work within the deadline, the firm handling this will have to dig multiple main roads of Jalandhar.
As per the information received, the project, being carried out by contractor L&T. It involves laying nearly 98 kilometers of underground water pipelines. As of now, only about 50–52 kilometers have been completed. With a strict deadline set for June 30, 2025, authorities have accelerated the work, resulting in widespread closures and diversions at key locations across the city.
Jalandhar roads that are currently being dug-
- Guru Ravidas Chowk to Behind Model Town Crematorium
- Model Town Water Tank to Mainbro Chowk (Partial closure)
- Mainbro Chowk to Guru Ravidas Chowk
- Deep Nagar
- Arman Nagar
- Dada Colony
- Near DAV College
- Verka Milk Plant (Work currently halted here after intervention by local councillor, but expected to resume soon.)
Apart from this, the work of laying pipes along with the Suye (small canal) behind Basti Bawa Khel has been completed. This pipe will be connected from Chuna Bhatti Road to DAV College via Arya Nagar via Sheetal Nagar.
More roads in Jalandhar to be dug under the Surface Water Project
- Dr. Ambedkar Chowk to Kapurthala Chowk (Chik Chik Side)
- Mahavir Marg
Mayor Vaneet Dhir's order
Jalandhar Mayor Vaneet Dhir has given a deadline to the contractor company L&T. He has given strict instructions to complete the work of digging all the roads of the city and laying pipes by 30 June 2025. The project was started with a deadline of completion in 30 months, but even after several years have passed, not even half the work has been completed. Due to this delay, the company has been first fined Rs 4.65 crore (1 percent of the total cost) and later Rs 9.30 crore (2 percent). Despite this, the pace of the project remains slow.
Mayor Vineet Dhir has further said that after the completion of digging and laying of pipes by June 30, the rainy season will start. During this time, the soil will settle, after which the work of building the roads afresh will start on a war footing. For this, Rs 32 crore has been approved from Jalandhar Smart City. The Mayor has also instructed that the two works should not be done simultaneously at the same place so that the traffic problem can be reduced.