Sewers choked, residents fear epidemic

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 20

The recent rain has increased the woes of residents, as the MC has failed to find a solution to choked sewers in various outer wards of the civic body that fall under Ludhiana East, Sahnewal and Ludhiana South constituencies.

Stinking water accumulated in the streets of Giaspura, Makkar Colony, Dhandari Khurd, Durga Colony, Rahon Road, New Subash Nagar and other areas pose a threat of an epidemic.

Whenever rain falls in these areas, many residents avoid using the toilets at their homes as the sewer water starts flowing back. When the rain lashed the city a few days ago, the sewer flowed back into their homes.

Residents blamed the government and MC Ludhiana for not resolving the problem of choked sewers before the rainy season. As compared to the past years, the situation is worst in many residential as well as industrial areas.

Sukhwinder Singh of Guru Ravidas Youth Sports and Welfare Club of Dhandari Khurd, said: “MC workers visited the area yesterday, but the sewers are still overflowing. Residents are falling ill due to insanitary conditions. We have made many complaints to the authorities and the government. We have also staged many protests, but to no avail. Even if the MC authorities and government can’t provide us relief, they must tell us as to who will address our issues?”

President of Giaspura Industrial Welfare Association, Upkar Singh Sahni, said: “The streets of Giaspura and adjoining areas are flooded with stinking water. The civic body has failed to resolve the issue despite our repeated complaints. Now, we have planned to sell our property due to the irresponsible attitude of the civic body for ignoring choked sewers. After rainfall recently, the problem has increased manifold.”

According to information, the MC had deployed super suction machines for cleaning sewer lines in some areas, but to no avail. Even the councillors of some affected wards expressed their concern.

Naresh Kumar, councillor from Ward No. 12 in Ludhiana East, said: “The sewers still overflow in different areas of the ward, including Heera Nagar, Sutantar Nagar, Sukhdev Nagar, New Gopal Nagar and others. The sewers remain choked, as motors at the sewerage treatment plant on Tajpur Road is not functioning properly.”

Ludhiana East MLA Sanjay Talwar blamed the dyeing units and dairies for dumping their waste into the MC sewer lines due to which the sewers remain choked in various parts of the constituency. He suggested the civic body to ensure de-silting of sewers, while the connections of dyeing units and diary complexes must be plugged.

On the other hand, the civic body officials put the blame on vehra dwellers for dumping plastic carry bags in the sewers, which results in the blockage of sewer lines. Mayor Balkar Singh Sandhu also claimed that the dumping of plastic carry bags choke sewers in various wards. “We have appealed to the people to stop throwing poly bags in the sewers. The MC staff has already been deployed for de-silting sewers. Under the Smart City mission, new machines are to be purchased for desilting of sewers,” he said.