Councillor wants open drain covered

Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 19

The proposed work for the coverage of an open drain (nullah) from Transport Nagar to Shingar Cinema Road in the city hangs fire due to procedural wrangles much to the annoyance of thousands of residents in Ward No. 18, 38 and 40 of the city.

The project was envisaged almost a decade ago. But, for several reasons, mainly financial crunch being faced by the Municipal Corporation, the work could not begin till last year when the process was initiated to call for tenders and finalise the bid for the project.

However, the project was again stalled due recall of funds provided to the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB) by the new Congress government.

For drawing attention of the Punjab Local Bodies Minister, Navjot Singh Sidhu, to the problem the BJP councillor, Inder Aggarwal, has submitted a representation stating that the PIDB had released funds to the tune of Rs 5 crore last year for coverage of the open drain. He said tenders for the work were invited thrice, but every time the process was scuttled due to procedural wrangles or proverbial red tapism and work orders for the project could not be issued.

“Now that one tender was finalised through e-tendering and process was on for negotiations with the construction agency, the new government ordered stoppage of all works. Funds already released by the PIDB were also recalled,” Aggarwal said while adding that the shortlisted bidder had agreed to further cut down the cost on certain conditions. He said the work on the project could commence if required funds were released by the government.

Emphasising the dire need to execute the project for coverage of an open drain, Aggarwal said thousands of residents in Shivaji Nagar, New Shivaji Nagar, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Park, Dharampura and other surrounding localities were suffering for the past several years due to the uncovered drain, which was commonly known as ‘ganda nullah’.

“Residents of these localities have to bear stench emanating from the drain and are also exposed to other health risks due to breeding of house flies and mosquitoes. Besides, during the rainy season the overflowing dirty water from the drain enters houses and shops of the people causing immense damage,” he added.

Aggarwal made an earnest appeal to the minister to accord due priority to the project and make sure that such a work of public interest was not sacrificed at the altar of political discrimination.