Lack of infrastructure takes toll on Industrial Area

Minna Zutshi

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Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 19

Various parts of the Industrial Area in Ludhiana — business hub of the region — is crying for attention.

Though successive governments have been promising best infrastructure to the industry, the very basic necessity of good roads is still a distant dream for the Ludhiana industry.

While roads are in a bad shape, a drive through the area is a test of one’s driving skills – negotiating craters and potholes is no less than a nightmare. Driving on these roads in the evening is risky, particularly for two-wheeler drivers and cyclists.

“Roads in the area are in a miserable condition. Although in the current Budget, the government has allocated some funds for the repair of these roads and infrastructure development, we do not know when the work will start,” says industrialist Ajit Lakra. He blames lack of infrastructure for poor growth in Ludhiana.

Apart from bad roads, the Industrial Area is plagued by the problem of waste disposal. The garbage dumps on the roadsides stink and rodents, flies and mosquitoes breed around these dumps.

Another problem is inadequate drainage system which is unable to cope with the monsoon run-off. In the absence of proper and efficient drainage, roads in the Industrial Area are waterlogged whenever it rains.

Official apathy exacerbates the problem. “There is hardly any cleaning of the roads. On papers, the MC has deployed employees to clean the roads. But we seldom get to see them actually do the task. Perhaps, they are busy elsewhere in more important chores,” laments an area resident.