Road to development still unpaved for Amritsar's Ramdas
The border town of Ramdas continues to struggle with poor civic infrastructure, despite its strategic location near the international border. Residents say the town has long remained ignored by successive governments and district authorities, resulting in slow development and lack of essential public facilities.
Locals claim that even basic amenities such as clean drinking water, sewerage, waste management and proper sanitation remain inadequate.
People had pinned hopes on the development of the region after the opening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor at Dera Baba Nanak, which brought international attention to the border belt. Residents believed the corridor would become a turning point for nearby towns such as Ramdas, and would lead to better roads, and economic growth.
However, residents say, while the broader region gained visibility, little changed on ground in Ramdas in terms of civic infrastructure.
They added that a big relief came in the form of the widening and reconstruction of the Amritsar-Dera Baba Nanak road, which passes through the town. The improved road enhanced connectivity with larger cities, and also helped small businesses as tourists and travellers from distant areas began passing through the town.
Shopkeepers and traders said roadside businesses, eateries and small retail outlets received some benefit when traffic increased after the road upgrade. But, over the past a few years, with the Kartarpur Corridor remaining shut for long stretches and official attention “declining”, residents say the momentum of development has slowed down once again.
They pointed out that the floods in September last year caused widespread damage to roads across the area. The impact is still visible on the double-lane road leading to Dera Baba Nanak, where several points have deteriorated badly.
Parts of the road have broken surfaces, deep potholes and damaged edges, making travel difficult and unsafe. The condition is particularly poor near the entrance gate outside Ramdas, where large potholes have emerged. Residents blamed illegal mining activity linked to the Ravi for worsening the road network.
They said hundreds of heavily loaded vehicles, including tippers and dumpers, frequently used these roads, leading to rapid damage. People living in the border belt said towns such as Ramdas deserved specific attention due to the sensitive location and historical significance of these.
They urged the government to immediately repair damaged roads, strengthen civic amenities and launch a focused development plan for backward border areas.
Gurvinder Singh, a resident, said border towns often remained neglected despite their importance. He urged the government to ensure quality roads, proper drainage and regular sanitation so that people do not feel left behind.
