Sultanpur Lodhi Roads Crumble Amid Delays, Residents and Traders Struggle
Residents and business owners in this historic town are facing daily hardship as neglected roads continue to deteriorate without permanent repair. Prolonged delays in sewerage and infrastructure work have turned main routes like Ber Sahib Road and the Sultanpur–Goindwal Sahib stretch into accident-prone zones. With potholes, loose gravel, and waterlogging compounding the issue, locals report serious impacts on mobility, safety, and commerce. Temporary fixes have failed to address the underlying problems, especially during the ongoing monsoon season, leaving the town in disarray and residents demanding accountability and long-term solutions.
The road conditions in Sultanpur Lodhi have been worsening for nearly two years, largely due to unfinished civic works and neglect. What was once a routine commute has become a hazard-filled journey, particularly on roads dug up for sewerage installations. Residents say many of the pits were never properly filled, creating unstable soft patches and deep potholes that frequently trap tractors, trucks, and two-wheelers. The situation becomes dangerous during rains, when muddy surfaces make roads nearly impassable. In dry spells, clouds of dust choke visibility and affect air quality. This dual burden of seasonal extremities has turned daily mobility into a struggle for residents and visitors alike. Business owners are also bearing the brunt of this urban failure. Traders along Ber Sahib Road report a sharp fall in customer footfall during festival seasons. They attribute this decline to the deplorable condition of the roads, which discourage locals from venturing out to shop.
In recent weeks, even minor rainfall has led to knee-deep water in pothole-ridden patches, leaving delivery vehicles stranded and damaging goods in transit. Despite promises of repair from local authorities, action has been limited to superficial gravel-laying before official visits. These short-term gestures fail to address the long-standing deterioration of the road base, which remains weak and uneven. Local residents and civic groups argue that the root of the issue lies in poor coordination and lack of follow-through on public works projects. Incomplete sewerage work, inadequate drainage design, and absence of post-construction quality checks have left large sections of the road infrastructure vulnerable. Several vehicle owners report paying out of pocket to extricate their stuck vehicles with help from JCB operators, costing them thousands of rupees. With each rainfall, the problem deepens. Long trolleys and farm vehicles frequently stall on the Sultanpur–Goindwal Sahib road, disrupting supply chains and increasing accident risk, especially at night when visibility is low and potholes remain hidden.
As the monsoon intensifies and permanent repairs remain elusive, residents say the town’s basic infrastructure is crumbling. The persistent inaction not only threatens public safety and economic activity but also highlights a wider neglect of sustainable urban planning in semi-urban areas. Officials must now take decisive steps to complete drainage and road works and ensure future projects include provisions for weather-resilient infrastructure. For a town with cultural and historical significance, leaving its streets in ruins contradicts the goals of equitable development and inclusive civic growth.
