Follow Us
Kuldip Bhatia
Ludhiana, August 20
Condition of most of the main and feeder roads in the 475-acre Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar colony, developed by the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) on Pakhowal Road here was already in a very bad shape and the recent rains, coupled with waterlogging due to poor drainage system, has further worsened the situation with residents having a miserable time.
Residents of E Block of the colony say LIT had spent a lot of money on the construction of road gullies in the main market and along many other roads in the colony about one and a half years ago. But due to utter neglect and absence of periodic cleaning, most of these gullies were either completely clogged or damaged.
“Rather than cleaning up and making arrangements for proper maintenance of the existing road gullies, new ones are being laid on the roads which is tantamount to wastage of public money,” said Arvind Sharma, a resident. He added that the road gullies being completely choked, most roads remained under water for considerable time and sustained immense damage. Pran Bhatia, president, Senior Residents Welfare Association (E Block) says on some of the main and internal roads of of the colony, it was difficult to walk even on foot what to talk of inconvenience to the vehicle drivers. “Many spots on the roads have become accident-prone but the LIT officials conveniently choose to see the other way,” he added.
Commenting on the apathy and general indifference of the LIT officials towards the poor condition of roads, residents assert that work for carpeting of main and internal roads in E Block was scheduled to commence in October last year and work was inaugurated with fanfare in early November last years. “But that was that. Roads have not been carpeted even though eight months have passed since tenders were approved and work order issued,” says Sharma.
In a complaint sent to the state government and the LIT chairman, the residents have demanded an inquiry into poor maintenance of roads and road gullies and delay in carpeting of the roads which was to be completed before the onset of rainy season.
LIT officials said work for carpeting of roads was held up because underground cables were to be laid for street lights in the colony. Work for carpeting of roads stood allotted and it would be taken in hand after the end of the rainy season, they said.
1
3
8