Overflowing sewer troubles commuters

Ajay Joshi

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 16

Even after repeated complaints, the choked sewer on the Suranussi-Kartarpur road is lying unattended for the past two years. The continuous overflowing of sewage had even damaged the main road and the streets leading to a residential colony.

The condition of the road was pathetic and was also affecting the traffic. The blockage of the main sewerage had also contaminated the water supply, claimed residents.

As per nearby shopkeepers and the area councillor, the road, which always remain filled with filthy water, has been repaired several times. However, the situation remains the same, exposing the lackadaisical attitude of the civic authorities.

Avtar Singh, a resident, said due to the apathy of the civic bodies, the filthy water had been overflowing for over two years. They tried to get the issue redressed, but to no avail.

“The sewage water accumulated on the road is also leading to several problems for residents, especially pedestrians, who are forced to walk through the polluted water. The stinking smell is also inconveniencing commuters passing through the road,” Avtar said.

The area is usually occupied by migrants and labourers due to its proximity to several factories. They rued that the civic authorities were not performing their duty of providing clean and hygienic environmemt to them. Every day they have to cross the choked sewer to reach their workplaces.

Earlier, Municipal Corporation officials had installed some drainage pumps, but the arrangement did not prove beneficial, said a Dhaba owner, who demanded a permanent solution to the long-standing problem.

Area councillor Deshraj Jassal, who was contacted several times by commuters to rectify the problem, said: “I had raised the issue with the Municipal Corporation authorities, including the Commissioner several times, but nothing was done in this regard. The sewer connects to the main drainage pipeline. Hence, drainage pumps are required to pull out the extra water.”