Samrala: Awash with sewage woes

Mahesh Sharma

The Assembly segment assumes significance due to its proximity to the home constituency of Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, whose activities are expected to prove a shot in the arm of sitting Congress MLA Amrik Singh Dhillon.

Past trend

For the past three decades, Congress’ Amrik Singh Dhillon has received unflinching support from people irrespective of the political wave in the state. He won the seat in 1997, 2005, 2012 and 2017. In 2007, SAD’s Jagjiwan Singh Khirnia won the election.

Electorate strength

Total voters - 1,71,083

Male - 90,216

Female - 80,862

Third gender - 5

Locals’ key demands

• Sewerage projects’ completion
• Parking along highway markets
• Government college
• Community halls

Having won four Assembly elections out of five, Dhillon might face opposition from his own blood this time as the Shiromani Akali Dal has pitted one of his close relatives Paramjit Singh Dhillon as candidate.

Though the constituency has received abundant funds and seen development, inadequate sewerage system and lack of parking facility for shops situated on recently widened Ludhiana-Chandigarh highway may go against Dhillon. Contrary to expectations, the six-laning of the highway resulted in disappointment among shop owners situated in the main markets at towns situated along it as customers find it difficult to park their vehicles now.

Despite spending huge grants, executing agencies failed to accomplish development projects to the satisfaction of residents. Dhillon, on the other hand, claims: “I have left no stone unturned to work for residents of my constituency. The government overtook a private college at Machhiwara besides establishing a new ITI. We have also succeeded in widening major roads passing through the area and at least 400 km long link roads were reconstructed or repaired.”