Delayed Road Projects Create Traffic Nightmares for Commuters in Varanasi
In Varanasi, the ongoing delays in the completion of critical road widening projects are turning daily commutes into a nightmare for residents. The traffic congestion, particularly at key junctions connecting the city with Prayagraj via Mohansarai and other major routes, has become unbearable. With the roadworks ongoing at Manduadih and Baulia-Lehartara, commuters are facing significant delays, leading to frustrating and sometimes dangerous situations.
The main roads affected by these delays include the Mudaila-Marhauli and Baulia-Lehartara routes, which are heavily used by vehicles entering Varanasi from Prayagraj. As traffic moves slowly through these routes, crucial crossings such as Manduadih and Baulia-Lehartara are seeing the worst of the congestion. The delays have been compounded by the ongoing roadwork, which includes shifting electric poles and preparing the foundation for road construction. The situation worsened recently when debris from the construction work caused additional hazards for commuters. On one occasion, a tyre burst from a dumper involved in debris removal, injuring a home guard and a passer-by, further highlighting the dangers posed by the incomplete works.
Despite the efforts of the local police to manage the situation, the sheer volume of traffic has made it impossible to alleviate the congestion. Vehicles from the Prayagraj highway, travelling via Marhauli, and those heading towards Mudaila from Mahmoorganj, are now moving at a crawl. The diversion plans in place, including U-turns, have only slightly improved the flow, but have done little to ease the heavy load on the road. This has led to similar traffic nightmares at Baulia-Lehartara, where a makeshift two-lane road has been created by the Public Works Department (PWD) in an attempt to handle the overflow. The slow pace of work on the Mohansarai-Lehartara road, in particular, has raised concerns among local officials. On November 23, 2024, District Magistrate S. Rajalingam visited the area and expressed frustration with the delays, citing poor progress in the construction of essential drains and the relocation of electric poles. A December 31 deadline set by Divisional Commissioner Kaushal Raj Sharma for the completion of the work was missed. At that point, only a single stretch of road between Jagatpur and Lehartara had been completed, with other sections remaining far behind schedule. The delay in this vital infrastructure project has directly impacted commuters, creating not only inconvenience but also safety concerns as works continue to disrupt traffic flow.
In response to the ongoing delays, the District Magistrate ordered a suspension of one day’s salary for the executive engineers in charge of the PWD divisions, demanding an explanation for the poor progress. The government action seems to have prompted a change, as work on the Manduadih crossing and other affected areas has now intensified. Since January 21, 2025, demolition work, road base preparation, and the shifting of electric poles have been happening simultaneously, aiming to catch up with the lost time. Officials are now under pressure to ensure the swift completion of these road projects, as the failure to improve the infrastructure not only hampers daily commuting but also raises doubts about the efficiency of the city’s planning. The stakes are high, as these delayed projects are crucial to managing the traffic flow, especially with the upcoming Maha Kumbh rush. With the city’s traffic system at breaking point, authorities are expected to push for rapid resolution, but whether this will be enough to alleviate the daily struggles of commuters remains to be seen.
