14 hours ago
Cracks, broken dividers put drivers at risk on Kisan Path
Lucknow: A TOI reality check on the Outer Ring Road, also known as Kisan Path, uncovered several commuter hazards that go well beyond minor road damage.
Deep cracks along multiple stretches, deliberately broken dividers to facilitate two-wheeler crossings and defunct speed check boards meant to curb rash driving were among the major issues observed.
Adding to the concern, several vehicles — especially two-wheelers and cars — were found driving on the wrong side of the road at various locations. There was no visible presence of traffic police or National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) personnel to monitor or prevent these violations.
Intended to ease the city's traffic burden, the 104-km, Rs 6,214-crore Kisan Path instead became a high-risk corridor due to damaged infrastructure and lack of enforcement.
The TOI survey began from the stretch near Kalli Paschim village close to PGI. The entrance was marked by a faded, partially damaged signboard and a pothole—setting the tone for what lay ahead.
As the journey continued towards Sultanpur Road, the divider near Sarthuwa Village in the Mohanlalganj area was found damaged—reportedly broken to allow two-wheelers to cross over. Beyond this point, the road was relatively smooth up to Noorpur Behata, where some patchwork was done by the NHAI.
However, at Noorpur Behata, a broken roadside barrier was observed, potentially allowing stray animals to wander onto the road. A crater, poorly patched, was already beginning to peel. The absence of street lighting in this stretch further added to the risks, particularly during nighttime travel.
The TOI vehicle encountered a few bumpy sections as the journey progressed, but the road was largely manageable. Still, at multiple points—including near Sultanpur Road—wrong-side driving was widespread.
Vehicles, including both two-wheelers and four-wheelers, were seen flouting traffic norms with no enforcement in sight.
In Bijnor, a deep crater on the road posed a major hazard to fast-moving vehicles. Several other stretches showed signs of recent repair work, with some patches appearing to be filled just a day or two earlier.
A particularly alarming sight was observed near Kakori and its surrounding areas, where a cow was seen crossing the high-speed corridor, navigating between vehicles travelling at an average speed of 60–70 km/h.
This posed a serious danger to both commuters and the animal.
Near Moradabad village along Deva Road, a bridge showed extensive wear, with long cracks clearly visible on its surface.
When asked, Lt Col Retd Sharadchand Singh, project director, NHAI, who oversees the Kisan Path project, said, "We are already carrying out repair work wherever required. Our teams continuously survey the entire stretch and address issues as they arise. Additionally, if someone notices a problem, they can report it through NHAI's helpline or mobile app, and it will be resolved promptly."
