11 March 2026 (Navroze Bureau) : Major traffic congestion in Patiala created panic among several students appearing for board examinations after ongoing road work by the Public Works Department (PWD) slowed traffic movement across key routes in the city.
According to reports, repair and construction work on a busy road stretch caused severe traffic jams during the morning rush hour. School buses, private vehicles, and two-wheelers carrying students to examination centres were stuck for long periods, leading to anxiety among students and parents.
Many students appearing for board exams feared they would miss their exam timing as vehicles moved extremely slowly through the congested roads. Some students were seen leaving their vehicles and rushing on foot toward their examination centres in an attempt to reach before the entry deadline.
Parents accompanying their children also expressed frustration, saying they had left home early to avoid delays but still got caught in the unexpected traffic chaos caused by the construction activity.
Locals said the road work had been ongoing for several days, but the traffic situation worsened on the exam day due to the large number of vehicles on the roads. Residents questioned why major repair work was scheduled during peak hours when important exams were taking place.
Authorities later stepped in to manage the situation, with traffic personnel trying to clear the congestion and regulate vehicle movement near the affected roads. Police also helped guide students toward nearby examination centres to ensure they could arrive as quickly as possible.
Education officials urged exam authorities to consider genuine cases of delays caused by traffic issues, although board exam rules usually require strict adherence to reporting times.
The incident triggered criticism from parents and citizens, who demanded better coordination between civic departments and education authorities during important examination periods.
Observers said better traffic planning, advance public notices, and avoiding road work during school exam days could help prevent such situations in the future.
Despite the chaos, most students eventually managed to reach their exam centres, though many reported feeling stressed and distracted after the difficult journey.
Summary :
Traffic jams caused by PWD road work in Patiala delayed several students heading for board exams, creating panic among candidates and parents as many struggled to reach examination centres on time.