Uncarpeted dairy complex roads a nuisance

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 19

Facing a financial crisis, the Municipal Corporation (MC) failed to get the dilapidated roads re-carpeted at the dairy complex on Hambran Road before monsoon this year too. Thousands of people, including visitors, dairy owners and employees, suffer everyday due to the worst condition of the roads at the dairy complex.

The recent rain has increased the woes of commuters and pedestrians as roads have become very slippery again, giving an open invitation to mishaps. In 2017, MC officials had claimed that the work would be started after the monsoon (rainy season), but nothing was done. The officials had then claimed that the work to carpet the roads would be started after winter season. Now, another rainy season is underway but nothing has changed.

Even patchwork to repair potholes has not been done for a long time in the area. Interestingly, the MC's hot mix plant, wherein the material for patchwork is prepared, is just located in neighbour of these dilapidated roads. Moreover, the roads are not leveled.

In the entire dairy complex, only a little metalled portion of the roads are visible while the large portion has developed layers of filth. It is learnt that some dairy owners dump cattle dung at open locations due to which the waste flows on the roads during rainfall.

A group of dairy owners told that they suffer more during rainy season but no attention is paid towards the roads. The pedestrians face difficulties while walking on these roads. Sometimes, the riders lose control on two-wheeler as roads are very slippery, they said.

A dairy owner said, "The situation was worst after rain two days ago. According to my knowledge, roads have not been re-carpeted or reconstructed for more than 10 years. The MC authorities should pay attention to get our issues resolved. The insanitary condition poses threat of spreading diseases."

According to sources, there are over 1,200 dairies located in the area, while the owners of few dairies are senior politicians. Superintending Engineer Dharam Singh was unavailable for comment. Mayor Balkar Singh Sandhu said the estimate for roads projects had been passed, while the work would be carried out after rainy season.