Ludhiana: AAP blames Cong govt for failing to act against 'parking mafia' in industrial town

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 13

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accused the Congress government and the authorities concerned of turning a blind eye towards the ‘parking mafia’ in the city. Local leaders of AAP also raised questions over the Smart City project, solid waste management, city bus service and Rejuvenation of Buddha Nullah Project.

While addressing a press conference here on Monday, AAP leaders blamed the Municipal Corporation (MC) for mismanagement, negligence and wasting funds on unwanted projects. They also raised questions over prevailing corruption in the MC.

AAP Lok Sabha in-charge Amandeep Singh Mohie and Ahbaab Singh Grewal alleged that private contractors hired by departments concerned were openly ‘looting’ people by charging high rates against the prescribed fee at various parking lots in the city.

Grewal said overcharging remained a major problem at the multi-storey parking lot near DC office at Mini Secretariat, multi-level parking lot of the MC near Mata Rani Chowk, Bhadaur House parking lot, Civil Hospital parking lot, Books Market parking lot and at Sabji Mandi. The Congress government failed to act against the parking mafia while previous SAD-BJP dispensation had also ignored it, Grewal added.

Grewal said the authorities did not disclose how much amount from the Centre and the state governments was released for the Smart City projects. He alleged that funds were spent on unplanned projects instead of resolving actual issues of the city.

Grewal further said, “Under the Smart City Mission project underground wires were to be laid at the Sarabha Nagar market. Lot of wires connected with poles still exist in the market. The width of Malhar Road has been reduced due to which frequent traffic jams are witnessed, which trouble commuters. An announcement was made for the construction of the waste management plant, but it is still yet to the light of day.”

Meanwhile, Mohi said why the processing of waste was not being ensured. Mohi said, “Waste has piled up at the MC’s main garbage dump near Kakka village due to which people of the nearby areas are suffering.”

AAP leaders said why the tendering process was not followed when the garbage lifting work was handed over to a private contractor. They also asked why the MC was ignoring the city bus service that was once launched with much fanfare.