New Phagwara civic body chief promises to address civic issues

After six years, Phagwara Municipal Corporation finally has a Commissioner — Akshita Gupta — who can dedicate all her time to fulfilling the duties of the post. Sources said that former commissioners of the MC worked with additional charges, owing to which they could not contribute sufficient time to their duties as the MC’s chief. In the present scenario, it would not be an easy job for Akshita to resolve the several issues being faced by the residents of Phagwara because of the earlier neglect, the sources added.

Potholed roads, dog and bovine menace, insufficient streetlights, increasing encroachments, open violation of rules, nuisance at vacant plots and dumpyards etc could be the major challenges for the new commissioner, who will have to work under political pressure, too.

Dented roads in several localities have become the cause of increasing accidents.

More than five thousand stray dogs have made it difficult for pedestrians, especially the elderly morning and evening walkers, who are being forced to carry sticks on their excursions out of fear of stray dogs.

Multiple storied buildings can also be seen being constructed in an open violation of the local bodies’ rules, either due to political pressure or due to corrupt practices.

Garbage dumps in the middle of the town, especially near the School of Eminence on the old post office road, force commuters to cover their noses while crossing the area.

Encroachments can also be spotted in and around all roads and bazaars. Several businessmen have extended their shops, making it hard for visitors to walk on the streets in marketplaces. Shopowners also park their two- and four-wheelers outside their shops, constricting the parking spaces. Though the MC has constructed multi-storey parkings, people prefer to park their vehicles in front of these shops.

The elected Mayor, Ram Pal Uppal, has also taken charge and assured the residents of resolving these problems, but it would not be an easy job for him either.

MC Commissioner Akshita Gupta, who took charge as Phagwara ADC on Thursday, told The Tribune here today that she would study the problems being faced by the people and would put her sincere efforts to solve these. She even asked the people of the town to come and meet her whenever required and discuss their problems with her.