Ludhiana, Feb. 23 -- Despite the presence of traffic islands at key intersections across the city, pedestrians are forced to wait on busy roads due to the "illegally" installed iron grills. Several traffic islands, meant to provide safe waiting zones for pedestrians, appear to have been taken over by private companies, turning them into advertising spaces. The encroachment leaves pedestrians with no choice but to stand dangerously close to moving vehicles while waiting to cross roads.

Divya Gupta, a student who regularly crosses Dugri Chowk, said, "I attend tuition classes in the area and have to wait on the roadside because the traffic island is covered with iron grills. During the day, it is difficult to stand alongside road amid heavy...