For the past five months, the Delhi-Amritsar highway has been inaccessible due to the ongoing Farmers’ Protest in Ambala. The farmers are stationed on one side of the Ghaggar river, marking the Haryana-Punjab border, while the paramilitary forces are positioned on the other side. Due to this, the road at Shambhu border remains closed to the public. Commuters traveling for daily work and jobs have relied on unpaved roads along the Ghaggar riverbanks. However, travellers’ concerns have risen further as these routes now face imminent closure.
With the onset of the monsoon season in Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, concerns are mounting as rising water levels in the Ghaggar river threaten to inundate the makeshift roads used by locals for daily travel and commuting. Villager Manpreet Singh expressed apprehension over the impact on the people who rely on these routes for travelling to their workplaces.
Local authorities acknowledge the severity of the situation, particularly for those traveling between villages near Ambala and Shambhu. While alternative paved highways exist, they necessitate longer journeys of up to 50 kilometers, adding to the inconvenience faced by the residents. SP Ambala Surendra Singh assured that efforts are underway to resolve the issue through dialogue, recognising the pressing need for a resolution.
The ongoing standoff between farmers and the government has not only paralysed transportation but has also profoundly affected Ambala’s markets, which remain disrupted. Recently, traders staged protests, temporarily shuttering several markets on Wednesday in solidarity, demanding the reopening of the Shambhu border to alleviate economic losses incurred during the prolonged protest.
The standoff continues to impact daily life in Ambala, with both commuters and traders facing mounting challenges. As negotiations persist, stakeholders remain hopeful for a swift resolution to alleviate the hardships faced by the local populace.
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