Poor infrastructure, stray cattle menace plague ward No. 56

Gagandeep Singh

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Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 3

Despite the fact that the Ward No. 56 is considered to have better facilities than other areas in the district, dilapidated condition of roads, stray cattle menace and non-construction of sewer in some parts present a different picture.

A majority of the localities in the ward have been covered with green spaces. The parks in the area are being maintained by residents due to the failure of the corporation. Though residents of localities like Urban Estate Phase II and other adjoining localities have relatively better houses, broken roads filled with muddy water shows the locality in a bad shape.

A visit to the ward reveals that most of the roads were in a deplorable condition with defunct streetlights and stray cattle roaming freely.

Sarbjit Kaur, People’s Party Punjab (PPP) councillor of the ward, alleged that she had been discriminated against in the JMC House that was being ruled by the BJP.

No development of infrastructure

It has been around four years since some of the localities have been taken over by the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation from PUDA. Residents alleged that not even a single penny had been spent on roads since then.

Like most of the wards, the corporation seems to have failed to develop the infrastructure in this ward for the past couple of years. Most of the roads in the ward have knee-deep potholes, which remain filled with muddy water during rainy seasons. It not only puts the area in a bad shape but also spreads diseases among people. Non-functional streetlights in some localities of the ward has led to increase in the crime rate.

The other major problem the area have been witnessing is the stray cattle menace. Stray cattle are roaming freely on main roads. Many people have already lost their lives and many have been injured due to accidents caused by the stray cattle.

Besides, tube-wells for the water supply are reportedly not working. Residents are paying to privately arranged garbage collectors in the absence of door-to-door garbage collection.

Residents also have complained against the broken traffic lights in the mini chowk of the area, but to no avail.

Ineffective Horticulture Dept

Most of the areas in the ward have been covered with green space, yet due to the failure of the the Horticulture Department of the MC, residents have been paying for the maintenance of parks as well. Residents alleged that they collect Rs 100 every month to pay the gardener. Despite repeated reminders, the corporation had failed to pay heed to pruning of trees, which shows its lackadaisical attitude.

Dangling power cables pose threat

A visit to area revealed that electricity cables in localities like Urban Estate, Phase II, have been dangling as low as they could easily reached out. It can cause a major accident. Speaking over the same, Inderjit Singh Grewal, a resident of the Urban Estate, Phase II, said he had made complaint regarding the same several times about loose joints in live electricity cables but no action has been taken by the authorities.

Stray dogs and cattle menace

One of the major problems, residents of the Ward No. 56 have been facing since long is the stray dog and cattle menace. Almost every nook and corner of the ward has been occupied with stray dogs and stray cattle that has been growing dangerously due to the lethargic approach of the area councillor towards the issue.

The ward has witnessed several cases of dog bites in the past few months.

Speaking over the issue, the councillor said: “The corporation must intensify its operation to tackle the menace. Stray dogs should be caught more frequently in the ward as these are growing at a rapid pace.”

What the councillor says

Ward councillor Sarbjit Kaur has alleged that most of the councillors belonging to parties other than the BJP are being discriminated against. However, she said, during her term works like road construction, patch work, strengthening of the water supply and sewer maintenance had been done so far.

“I have spent around Rs 1.50 crore to develop the infrastructure of my ward in the past few years and many of the works have been done,” she said.

She said some of the road works had been inaugurated by government representatives several times but grant was not issued to start the works.

She said the ward had been facing cleanliness issues in the absence of the Solid Waste Management project.

Future expectations

Residents of the ward want more cleanliness and proper facilities. The sewerage and roads must be taken into consideration while launching development projects in the ward. They had also been looking forward to getting streetlights installed in their localities. They also want parks to be maintained by the corporation. The councillor said she would like to initiate road and sewer works and needs funds for the same.

Areas in the ward

Localities in the ward include Guru Gobind Singh Stadium Road, Apollo Hospital Road to residence of Gulshan Sharma, residence of S Balbir Singh, ex-MP, street of Nipun Nanda Hospital, to Cool Road,   Opp DVS School Road (120 Ft. Road), Nakodar railway line, Municipal Corporation South side, Main Mithapur Model Town Road, Ranjit Enclave   Urban Estate Phase-II, Jyoti Nagar, Isharpuri Colony,   Guru Ram Dass Colony, DC Colony, Singh Colony,   University Colony, Vijay Colony,   Lohar Nagal Colony,   Kalgidhar Colony, New Kalgidhar,   Mithapur road to Subana–Garha Link Road, Model Town ( 66 ft. road),   Main Urban Estate Road (Dulhan Palace), Street Kartar Singh Pahlwan,   120 Ft Road and Andh Mahavidhayala Road,   Opposite Income tax Colony, Mall Road,   Geeta Bhawan Road,   Happy Colony ,  White Avenue,   Sabowal   Basant Vihar,  Gyan Nagar   Waryam nagar,   New Colony,  New Jawahar Nagar,   Punjabi Bagh,   Modern Colony,   Officer Enclave and   Punjabi Bagh extension.