Mayor reaches out to Mani Majra residents, holds chaupal
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, August 5
City Mayor Asha Kumari Jaswal held a chaupal, a first-of-its-kind initiative, to discuss the problems faced by residents of Ward Nos. 25 and 26 in Mani Majra on Saturday.
She said, “ It was promised in the BJP manifesto during the Municipal Corporation elections. This is the first-of-its-kind janta darbar. The idea is to take a note of the issues of a specific area and offer better services. This initiative will bridge the gap between officials and people.” “I want to change the perception that MC officials do not work. In the past 15 years, the MC was not aware about the problems because these were not discussed,” she added.
The chaupal was attended by city BJP president Sanjay Tandon, area councillors, civic body officials, local party workers, representatives of the Residents’ Welfare Association (RWA) and residents of Mani Majra.
Vinod Aggarwal, councillor, Ward No. 26, apprised the Mayor of the problems faced by the residents.
He said, “Though old water pipes have been replaced, the area lacks a proper sewerage system. Connectivity remains a challenge due to kutcha roads. I request that proper roads are constructed in the area.”
He further added, “We demand that a community centre with the e-sampark facility and a marriage hall be built here. Residents of Mani Majra do not have a place to hold marriage functions. I request the MC to allot land for the purpose.”
Residents also put forward their issues relating to roads, parking area, cleanliness, law and order and infrastructure.
A resident said, “Cleanliness is a major concern. Heaps of garbage remain unattended for days. The
department says there is a shortage of safai karamcharis.”
Another resident, Nihal Singh, said, “My humble request to the authorities is that the local dispensary be made operational round-the-clock. People often go to private hospitals for treatment, which is expensive.”
A resident of New Darshani Bagh raised the issue of corruption in the MC.
Arvind Dubey, RWA president of Indira Colony, said “The biggest problem is the parking for vehicles. Due to encroachments, roads have narrowed. People too park their vehicles on the road. In case of any emergency, no ambulance or fire tenders can reach us.”
Ravi Kumar, a resident of Motor Market, said, “There is a lot of crime in the area. Instances of theft and chain snatching are common. There are no street lights.”
Some residents alleged harassment at the hands of MC officials. Ravinder Thakur, a member of the traders’ association, Modern Housing Complex said, “The MC disconnected our water supply, deeming it illegal, without any notice.”
Uma Shankar, who sells vegetables at the local mandi, said, “The MC forcibly evicted us from the mandi and asked us to move to a remote area near the Kishangarh road. This has impacted the livelihood of 250 people. Till we receive our licences, we have no jobs.”
