The Perilous Path to Healing: Patients Brave Chandigarh's Deadly Roads for PGI Treatment

Imagine needing life-saving medical care, but the journey to the hospital itself puts your life at risk. This is the grim reality for thousands of patients, many elderly or disabled, who daily navigate a treacherous stretch of road to reach the prestigious Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI) in Chandigarh.

The dividing road between Sector 12 and 11, bustling with relentless traffic, has become a gauntlet of danger due to the glaring absence of a safe pedestrian crossing.

Every day, an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people, a significant portion being vulnerable patients, depend on PGI for treatment.

Yet, they are forced to play a deadly game of 'dodge the vehicle' simply to cross the street. Visualise an elderly woman, frail and dependent on a walker, or a person in a wheelchair, attempting to traverse multiple lanes of speeding cars, buses, and motorcycles. The sheer terror and physical exertion involved are immense, often leading to heart-wrenching scenes and, tragically, numerous accidents.

For years, this critical safety lapse has plagued the area.

Patients arriving by public transport, dropping off at the Sector 11 side, face a daunting challenge. The closest designated crossing points are often too far, especially for those with limited mobility. Many are left with no choice but to dart across the road, creating hazardous situations for themselves and oncoming traffic.

While Chandigarh Traffic Police have stationed personnel to manage the flow and assist pedestrians, this is merely a Band-Aid solution to a gaping wound.

The lack of a permanent, safe solution – such as a foot overbridge or an underpass – is a shocking oversight given the PGI’s status as a regional medical hub.

Past proposals for such infrastructure have been floated, only to get mired in bureaucratic delays, cost disputes, or disagreements over optimal locations. Meanwhile, the human cost continues to mount. Each passing day without a resolution sees more patients and their attendants risking life and limb just to access healthcare.

Medical professionals, patient advocacy groups, and even the PGI administration itself have repeatedly highlighted this urgent issue to the Chandigarh administration and municipal authorities.

The plea is simple: provide a dignified and safe means for patients to reach the hospital. It’s not just about convenience; it’s about basic human safety and access to essential services. Until a concrete, long-term solution is implemented, the perilous path to healing for PGI patients remains a stark and unacceptable reality.