MC wards of East constituency lack basic amenities

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 7

The area residents from Maqboolpura to Verka, Vallah to the GT road and Daburji of Amritsar East constituency had huge expectations about the resolution of their basic problems by the Minister for Local Bodies, Navjot Singh Sidhu. But even after eight months of the Congress government in saddle, there is no change on the ground level. The residents have been facing serious issues of sanitation, health facilities, water supply and road infrastructure.

After the fresh demarcation, there are 16 wards in the Amritsar East constituency led by Navjot Singh Sidhu. Previously, the area was represented by Sidhu’s wife, Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu. The area ranges from Ward No.19, which is the Verka bypass to Ward No. 33 which is Daburji on the GT road.

Despite a few localities devolved by the Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT) such as New Amritsar, Golden and Guru Amardas Avenues, residents of most of the areas in the constituency are still struggling for basic amenities.

The residents of Maqboolpura, Rasoolpur Kalran, Jaurra Fatak, Vallah Mandi and Verka claimed that the supply of potable water was irregular. The water is also contaminated. Due to blockage of sewerage lines, the waste water accumulates in the houses in low-lying areas on Vallah and Batala roads.

The roads and streets are in a pathetic condition in the wards on Vallah Road and Verka.

In the absence of proper collection of garbage, the residents dump the garbage in open plots.

There are two rainwater drains in the area which have turned into nullahs. The inhabitants of the residential colonies along these drains are the worst affected. The government failed to desilt the drains.

During a visit to the area, it was seen that the Community Centre at Verka built at a cost of Rs 82 lakh is in a dilapidated condition and has turned into a haven for drug addicts and anti-social elements. The neglected picture of the building shows the apathy of the government. This centre was constructed with an aim to provide an economical place to the residents for holding family functions.

Since the lock at the entrance of the community centre is broken, it has become a shelter for drug addicts. Inside the building, empty vials of injections and syringes used by the drug addicts are scattered everywhere. The residents suggested that the building be converted into a shelter home for the homeless.

Mandeep Singh Manna, a former Congress leader and an area resident, said, “Most of the inhabitants are labourers and small shopkeepers. Sidhu won the elections by making tall claims of development, but failed to deliver anything. The residents, who belong to the economically weaker class, are suffering from several health issues due to water contamination, poor road infrastructure and lack of health facilities.

Jatinderpal Singh, a resident of Ward No. 32, said, “We were expecting too much from Navjot Sidhu but he did not deliver anything. The road infrastructure should be improved on a priority basis. The people are residing in hell-like conditions around Vallah Mandi. The situation can be improved if Sidhu takes initiatives.”