Ludhiana's Six-Year Ordeal: The Unheard Plea for a Footbridge

You know, sometimes, in our bustling cities, the most basic needs get overlooked, tucked away in bureaucratic files. And in Ludhiana, specifically for the folks living near the Bhai Bala Ji gurdwara and Gurdwara Shri Guru Arjun Dev Ji in Model Town Extension, this oversight has become a six-year-long, daily gamble with safety. Imagine, for a moment, having to cross a busy nullah – a large drain, really – every single day, knowing there's no safe path for pedestrians. That's the stark reality for countless residents, especially the elderly and, heartbreakingly, the schoolchildren.

The issue isn't new, not by a long shot. For well over half a decade, residents have been consistently raising their voices, pleading with the authorities for a simple footbridge. A bridge that would connect their neighbourhoods safely and spare them the perilous walk across the existing vehicular bridge. This main bridge, you see, is a nightmare during peak hours. It's absolutely choked with traffic, and critically, it lacks any dedicated space for pedestrians. People are forced to walk right alongside speeding vehicles, an accident waiting to happen, frankly.

It’s not just an inconvenience; it’s a genuine threat to life and limb. Local councillor Jaspreet Kaur, among others, has highlighted the dangers repeatedly. Children, with their small frames and sometimes distracted minds, are particularly vulnerable. They often have to make significant detours or, more often, bravely (or perhaps, foolishly) navigate the narrow, unprotected edges of the main bridge, just to get to school or reach the gurdwaras. The very thought sends shivers down your spine, doesn't it?

And it's not like the authorities haven't been aware. Oh no, far from it. There have been surveys, promises, and even, at one point, a glimmer of hope when a project was reportedly initiated. MLA Gurpreet Bassi, for instance, had assured residents that their concerns would be addressed. But here we are, years later, and that footbridge remains nothing more than a blueprint or a forgotten file somewhere in a municipal corporation office. What exactly is holding things up? That’s the question everyone’s asking, and frankly, they deserve an answer.

Beyond the immediate danger, there are other woes too. The nullah itself, especially during the monsoon, becomes a foul-smelling, mosquito-ridden nightmare. While the footbridge wouldn't solve the sanitation issues entirely, it would certainly improve the overall quality of life by making access safer and more dignified. Residents feel utterly ignored, their consistent pleas falling on deaf ears, year after disheartening year.

This isn't some luxury they're asking for; it's basic urban infrastructure for safety. It's about ensuring that a child can walk to school without their parents holding their breath, or that an elderly person can visit their place of worship without fearing for their life. The residents of Ludhiana's Model Town Extension aren't giving up, and they shouldn't have to. It's high time the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation and the state government stopped kicking this can down the road and finally delivered on a promise that’s now six years overdue.