Massive Traffic Jam Clogs Ropar-Chandigarh Highway Amid Bridge Construction

A routine Monday morning turned into a nightmare for thousands of commuters on the Ropar-Chandigarh highway, as a massive traffic jam brought the entire stretch to a grinding halt. The gridlock, triggered by ongoing construction work over the Bhakra Main Line Canal near Ropar, stretched close to 8 kilometers and lasted for several hours, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded.

The chaos began during peak office hours when the construction company began erecting bridge pillars without any prior notice or alternate route arrangement. With no traffic management or diversion in place, the situation spiraled out of control within minutes.

“I had an important job interview at 10 AM in Chandigarh. I left early from home but ended up stuck in the same spot for more than two hours. I never made it,” said Harjot Singh, a resident of Ropar. Similar stories echoed across the traffic-clogged highway, where students heading for crucial examinations, working professionals, and even ambulances struggled to move an inch.

Among the stranded was Gurpreet Kaur, whose mother was being taken to a hospital in Mohali for dialysis. “We kept pleading with people to give way, but even ambulances were helpless in the jam. It’s shocking that the authorities allowed such heavy construction work during peak traffic without any planning,” she said.

Local residents and daily commuters expressed frustration over what they called a glaring lapse in coordination between the construction company and the local administration. Many questioned why the administration didn’t preemptively announce diversions or plan the construction work during off-peak hours.

Traffic police personnel arrived on the scene after more than an hour, but by then the damage was already done. With no space to maneuver or reroute, clearing the jam became an uphill task.

The incident once again highlights the urgent need for better traffic management strategies and real-time communication during infrastructure development. While bridge construction is essential for long-term benefits, poor planning and lack of coordination are costing people more than just time—they’re risking lives and livelihoods.