Daily Ordeal at Phafamau Bridge: Commuters Struggle Amid Repair Works and Endless Jams
PRAYAGRAJ: Since September 10, the Phafamau Bridge in Prayagraj has been undergoing extensive repair and maintenance work, a development that was supposed to enhance connectivity but has instead plunged daily commuters into chaos.
To facilitate the repairs, authorities have restricted traffic movement, allowing only two-wheelers to pass over the bridge. Yet, what should have been a relief measure has turned into a nightmare for the public.
A journey that normally takes just ten minutes has now stretched into an hour or even longer, as both sides of the bridge choke with endless queues of vehicles.
The narrow lanes left open after barricading for construction are inadequate to handle the rush, leaving commuters trapped in suffocating traffic snarls.
Morning Rush Turns into Gridlock
The situation reaches a breaking point almost daily around 9:30 a.m., when school children, office-goers, and professionals converge on the bridge.
With very little room to maneuver, motorcycles and scooters remain jammed tightly together, engines revving and horns blaring, while frustrated riders struggle for even a few inches of movement.
On Tuesday morning, the crisis deepened when the entire stretch froze under the weight of traffic. Vehicles stood still for nearly an hour, and tempers flared as commuters found themselves stranded.
With barely any traffic police presence, the situation spiraled into complete disorder until an additional team of officers was rushed to the site. Only after strenuous efforts did they manage to slowly clear the congestion and restore some semblance of movement.
Human Cost of the Delays
For the public, this has become a daily ordeal. Many people, after waiting for long stretches in the immovable jam, are forced to abandon their plans and turn back home.
Students rushing to schools and colleges arrive late to classes, disrupting their academic schedule. Lawyers heading for court hearings, and employees from both government offices and private firms, are unable to reach their workplaces on time, leading to mounting frustration and professional setbacks.
The sense of helplessness is growing among commuters who face the same struggle day after day, with no clear timeline for when the repair work will conclude. What was initially tolerated has now become a source of anger and exhaustion.
Authorities Admit Difficulty
Speaking on the situation, ADC-Traffic Kuldip Singh confirmed that for now, only two-wheelers are being permitted to cross the bridge.
However, he acknowledged that the narrowed lanes and the competitive rush of morning traffic leave little scope for smooth passage. “The jams are almost unavoidable under these conditions,” he admitted, hinting that commuters will have to bear with the hardship until the completion of repairs brings normal movement back to the bridge.
A Daily Struggle with No Quick Relief in Sight
For now, the Phafamau Bridge has become a symbol of urban distress, where thousands of daily riders are trapped in a cycle of congestion, delay, and frustration.
The lack of adequate traffic management, coupled with the long duration of the repair work, means that this urban bottleneck continues to disrupt lives on both sides of the river. Until the restoration of full traffic flow, the bridge will remain a dreaded obstacle for the very people it was meant to serve.
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