Sewage, garbage ail Beant Singh Complex

Ravneet Singh 
Tribune News Service
Patiala, May 21

Sewage, lack of parking space, encroachments and broken infrastructure has become synonym with the Beant Singh Complex in Chotti Baradari.

Stench from manholes and open litter welcomes office-goers and students on daily basis in the CM’s hometown. The roads which were recarpeted recently in the area were full of pothles. 

According to Sarvmeet, a student preparing for IELTS said, “The Municipal Corporation (MC) spends huge amount on cleaning drains, but no positive results have been achieved. The road has been broken in a matter of months due to the negligence of the Sewerage Department. Garbage is thrown on the roadside. As a result, water stagnates and becomes a breeding ground for mosquitos and flies.”

Khushi, an employee of a coaching centre said, “This is the hometown of the Health Minister. It figures on top spot as far as spreading of diseases is concerned. The MC officials claim to have rendered the city clean only on paper.”

The area witnesses jam due to lack of parking space. The MC had left construction material discarded on the footpath after questions were raised over the construction of a public toilet. 

Mohit Aggarwal, a shop owner said, “The MC is encroaching upon the public space. A hotel owner has installed silent generators in the parking area behind the complex. The MC officials have not even questioned him. Why is the MC encouraging such behaviour?”

Condition of the complex from inside has deteriorated with the passage of time. Wood work and paint has come of the walls. 

Raju, who delivers in the complex said, “This is an office area and garbage is collected outisde. The parking area is mismanaged. Sunday market adds to woes as vendors dump polythene bags.”

MC Mayor Sanjeev Kumar Sharma said, “We have already started a project to change sewerage pipes in the area. Also, door-to-door garage collection project will begin soon.”

The Mayor said the vendor rehabilitation project was in full swing. He said street vendors would be shifted after implementation of the project. Sharma assured that encroachments in the area would be removed within a day.