Encroachments by residents dot Sector 39

Kuldip Bhatia
Ludhiana, September 20

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Even though residents of Sector 39 on Ludhiana-Chandigarh Road (a colony developed and maintained by GLADA) are better placed than their counterparts in Sector 32 (also a GLADA colony) or other colonies under the administrative control of the Municipal Corporation (MC), still some civic issues such as neglected green belts, lack of proper rainwater drainage system which causes waterlogging during rain and encroachments by residents still remain to be addressed.

One side of the approach road to Sector 39 which adjoins PUDA/GLADA ground –while coming from inside the Sector to main Ludhiana-Chandigarh Road, is a bit bumpy and seems to be in need of minor repair, while most of the feeders roads and streets are in a better state.

However, encroachments on both sides of most of the internal roads/streets by way of construction of ramps by residents in front of their houses, which have eaten into 8 to 10 feet of street widths almost everywhere, stand out like a big eyesore in an otherwise neat and tidy colony.

A resident of the colony on the condition of anonymity said almost every house had a two to four feet ramp in front which had led to the width of feeder roads and streets being curtailed by anything from 8 to 10 feet. “In some streets, if a vehicle is parked in front of the house, the second vehicle cannot pass through. But since most of the residents are guilty, nobody raise voice against it,” he said.

Waterlogging during rain caused by inadequate rainwater drainage system and defunct sewer system is another civic problem that residents have to face during rain. Residents said rainwater accumulated along the footpaths on the roads and along quite a few houses in the colony. However, the residents, more or less, seemed to be satisfied with the level of water supply, sanitation and sewerage system.

“The colony has a lot of green cover, parks and green belts,” admit residents while complaining about the poor upkeep. Puran Singh, a resident, said most of the parks were not properly maintained with the result that growth of weed had proliferated, flower beds needed tending, trees and plants were to be pruned and grassy lawns required mowing.

Area councillor (Ward no 18) Vineet Bhatia said a lot of new infrastructure was coming up in Sector 39 which included a government college, an exhibition centre and a club. “With completion of these projects, traffic movement in the area is expected to take a quantum jump and the issue of providing additional urban infrastructure such as roads, parking spaces and other amenities is being taken up with the GLADA authorities,” he added.

Several development works were in progress in the colony under which a cycling track was being developed and interlocking tiles were being laid in parking spaces and footpaths, he added.