Hoshiarpur / Daljeet Ajnoha/July 23 :Former Cabinet Minister Sohan Singh Thandal has expressed concern over the frequent accidents occurring along the Bist Doab Canal and demanded that railings be installed along the edges of the canal to prevent vehicles from falling in.
He pointed out that during his tenure as a cabinet minister, significant improvements were made, but now the road along the canal has been elevated while the canal banks have remained low. As a result, many small and large vehicles fall into the canal, especially while crossing, leading to frequent loss of lives and property. In several cases, people were rescued in time by eyewitnesses, but unfortunately, many have lost their lives.
Thandal said that to prevent such accidents, installing strong railings is the need of the hour. He also urged the Forest Department to take immediate action to address the problem of overgrown trees leaning onto the road near the canal due to heavy rains and storms, which has led to multiple road mishaps.
He further highlighted the issue of tippers carrying sand and gravel from Mahilpur to Kot Fatuhi and Mehtiana via Phuglana, which often cause accidents along this road. He suggested that if their route is diverted through Hoshiarpur, the distance would increase only by 2 kilometers (from 33 to 35 km), but they would get a better road and accidents along the canal road could be prevented.
Sohan Singh Thandal added that he has already met with Deputy Commissioner Ashika Jain and has also discussed the matter with Deputy Speaker Jai Krishan Singh Rouri. He plans to take up the issue further with the local MP and MLA to ensure a permanent solution.
