Roadwork in middle of street turns into daily trouble

Ongoing construction work in the middle of a busy street has caused serious suffering for pedestrians, commuters and local residents, as the road has become narrow, risky and difficult to use.

People said the construction materials, broken road surface, open pits and barriers have blocked a large part of the street. As a result, pedestrians are being forced to walk close to moving vehicles, increasing the risk of accidents.

Commuters also complained that the work has created heavy traffic congestion, especially during office and school hours. Buses, rickshaws, CNG-run auto-rickshaws, motorcycles and private cars are moving slowly through the narrow space left beside the construction site. Several pedestrians said the situation becomes more dangerous at night because of poor lighting and lack of proper warning signs. Elderly people, students, women and children are facing the most difficulty while crossing or walking along the road.

“There is no safe walking space. We have to walk beside vehicles, and any time an accident may happen,” said a local commuter.

Residents said they are not against development work, but the authorities should ensure public safety during construction. They demanded proper barricades, clear warning signs, traffic police support and a separate walking path for pedestrians. Road safety experts said unplanned construction work on busy streets can increase the risk of road crashes if safety measures are not properly maintained.

They said construction zones should have visible signs, night lights, speed-control measures and safe space for pedestrians. Local shop owners also said their businesses have been affected as customers are avoiding the area due to dust, traffic jams and unsafe walking conditions.

The situation has raised questions about poor coordination among the authorities responsible for road work, traffic control and public safety. Residents urged the concerned authorities to complete the work quickly and take immediate steps to reduce public suffering.

They said development work is necessary, but it should not put people’s lives at risk.
Until proper safety measures are taken, pedestrians and commuters will continue to face daily hardship on the road.