FEEDBACK

Amritsar Tribune invites feedback from its readers on issues of public concern relating to Amritsar city and the nearby areas. Readers can email their views to [email protected]
They can also send their views to: Feedback, Amritsar Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh - 160029. Letters sent by post must mention 'Feedback for Amritsar Tribune' on the envelope and it should be signed and must contain the address and telephone number of the sender. It should not be more than 150 words.

Foundation stones an eye sore
There is a popular saying in Amritsar: “There are more auto-rickshaws than human beings and there are more foundation stones than the streets, roads and buildings.” About five months back, I saw a foundation stone in Company Bagh, 12-feet wide and 6-feet high. It mentioned about 300 characters associated with the foundation laying ceremony. The inscription thankfully was not legible because of the bird excreta on it.  Civic body officials have removed it giving the area a better look. The urge to lay foundation stones is a trait of the VVIPs. There are thousands of foundation stones in the city where work was never carried out. There are thousands others which cover the open space and have become an eye sore.  In Nawanshehar, there was a Deputy Commissioner who never laid a foundation stone and instead got a religious ceremony performed.  In Amritsar, there was a Municipal Commissioner who was stopped from laying any foundation stone. Unable to suppress his urge, he laid the foundation stone of a room for his buffaloes at his residence. This wasteful ceremony should be got rid of once for all. In Amritsar alone, 200 houses can be constructed for the poor by demolishing foundation stone platforms. It would also clear many obstructions on a permanent basis.
Surinderjit S Sandhu, Amritsar

Traffic travails
Traffic problems in the city are mounting. The main factor for this is an increase in vehicular traffic. There has been no matching increase in road capacity. Instead, roads have become narrower due to encroachments. The plying of unauthorised three-wheelers has affected adversely the viability of the city bus service that was begun recently. We can think of some regulation on sale of new vehicles. Due to easy bank loans, buying of vehicles has gone up. However, the owners can be asked to give the proof of parking space. It has been noticed that the cars are parked in streets and at public places during the night, causing inconvenience, congestion and accidents. Civic and police authorities must remove the encroachments and keep strict vigil so that they do not reappear. Also, traffic control officials must be trained by specialists.  Vulnerable points like Bhandari Bridge should have dedicated lanes for two-wheelers and four-wheelers.  Holding of protests, dharnas, langars, dewans and jagratas on roads should be restricted. Commuters must be made aware of traffic rules through special awareness drives. Skills of drivers should be ascertained while issuing driving licences.  Last but not the least, traffic officials should be rewarded or penalised as an incentive or deterrent depending upon their performance. Random vigil and spot checking by DTO or traffic officials will go a long way in clearing the traffic snarls.
LJ Singh,
via e-mail