Water woes, be it supply or rain

Gagan K Teja

Tribune News Service

Patiala, December 6

Ward No. 41 to 45 that fall in the walled city face problems of potable water supply, poor sewerage and traffic congestion. A stronghold of the Congress, the area, including parts of Ragho Majra, Shahi Samadhan, Dhak Bazar, Anardana Chowk, Jorian Bhattian, Cycle Market, Books Market and Arya Samaj Chowk has not seen much development in the past 10 years.

The supply of potable water is a major issue in the area. In the recent past, most middle-class and well-to-do families have started digging their own submersible pumps to meet their water needs, though each unit costs over Rs 25,000. 

Moreover, the practice of drawing water by using Tullu pumps continues unabated in the city. Owing to the use of pumps, the residents, who cannot afford such a facility, suffer. However, those who have installed Tullu pumps justify their action, stating that they get water from the MC at a very low pressure, finding it difficult to meet their water requirements. These pumps, however, have aggravated the problem of water scarcity. 

Secondly, considering that the areas are in walled city, it is impossible to expand it and thus traffic congestion is another major problem in the area. Multi-storey parkings and a proper traffic plan are the need of the hour.

Sandeep Kumar, a resident of the area, said managing the traffic continues to be a prime concern for the administration as these areas were congested. There are hardly any parking places at inner markets following which people park their vehicles on the road, halting the movement of traffic. 

“Waterlogging and choked sewage lines have been a major worry for city residents, especially during the monsoon season. This has also led to the outbreak of various vector-borne diseases in the past,” said Kiranjeet Singh, another resident.

Congress leader Sanjeev Bittu, who has been the leader of the Opposition in the MC House, says the wards have been their stronghold for decades. “However, since the SAD-BJP combine was in power in the state, they used force and ensured victory for their candidates in these wards too. They have practically done nothing for the area. City residents have been urging the government to restart development works in the city.