Basic infrastructure eludes Aerocity

Tribune News Service

Mohali, September 19

GMADA’s pilot project, Aerocity, has been crying for development of basic infrastructure for long.

Hundreds of houses have come up at Aerocity. Launched around eight years ago along Airport Road, the Aerocity area is still without basic infrastructure, including proper roads, functional street lights, road gullies and rainstorm water pipeline.

According to Vinod Kumar Sharma, president, Aerocity Welfare Committee, “All residents of the Aerocity feel cheated. We were told by GMADA that the entire development work here would be completed by 2014.”

“GMADA has hired services of private company for works. Even five years after missing the deadline, the project is still crying for the development of basic facilities here,” he added.

“The condition of roads in Aerocity is pathetic. One can find big potholes on roads at several places. Roads have also caved in at many spots, which pose a big threat to residents and visitors,” he said.

Echoing similar sentiments, another resident Ashok Kumar rued, “Most street lights are not functional in the area. It’s risky to venture out during late night hours. Waterlogging during rainy days is also a big problem here as the rain/storm water pi peline is yet to be laid in the area.”

Aero residents said all their complaints, requests and communiqués to the authorities concerned regarding redressal of their problems and development of the infrastructure had fallen on deaf ears.

When contacted, Davinder Singh, superintending engineer, the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), said, “The Aerocity project is facing some teething problems. The area witnesses large scale construction, which affects roads for obvious reasons. Complaints are being redressed immediately.”