If you frequently pass through the portion of the Canal Road, which is between Punjab University and Ferozpur Road, then you better start looking for an alternate route! The authorities have already taken down the overhead pedestrian bridge that was at the site of this new underpass, but there is no sign of any construction equipment anywhere near.

This Garden Town underpass would effectively provide another route between Ferozpur Road and Wahdat Road while keeping the Canal Road “signal-free” and would actually lessen down the load on Muslim Town Mor, which has become a bottleneck.

One major downside of this project is the large number of trees that would be taken down to make way for a wider road. I hope that the recent news reports about successful tree transplantations weren’t just hogwash – I would really hate to see them turn into firewood!

Finally, it’s about time the authorities stop neglecting the parts of Canal Road beyond Dharampura. The condition of the road is extremely shoddy and building underpasses there are far more vital than this one! If they keep on neglecting that part then it will only give air to the sentiments amongst the people there that the projects on Canal Road are only being undertaken for the benefit of affluent and rich, who want an obstruction-free passage to the Royal Palm Golf Club!