Road Work Stalled for Over a Year in Surat’s Punagam, Residents Take to Streets

Residents of Punagam in Surat staged a protest on Wednesday against the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC), alleging that road construction has remained incomplete for more than a year after demolition work began. With electricity poles still standing in the middle of the proposed road, residents of several societies have raised concerns over traffic congestion and accident risks ahead of Diwali.

The protesters alleged that the civic authorities had failed to complete the remaining demolition and road work. They also claimed that demolition at a nearby society was stopped due to political pressure from a BJP corporator residing in the area.

A large number of residents joined the protest, carrying placards and raising slogans against the civic administration. A former local Congress corporator and other party leaders also participated.

Shouting slogans such as 'Give us a road', protesters demanded that the pending demolition be completed, electricity poles be shifted and the road be constructed without further delay.

According to residents, the civic administration demolished properties more than a year ago to clear the way for road construction. However, little progress has been made since then.