Weak nullah banks yet to draw MC attention

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 14

A day after Buddha Nullah overflowed near the Peeru Banda railway bridges, its “weak” banks at various other locations are still crying for attention. No measures were taken for strengthening the banks of the nullah near the railway bridges till Saturday afternoon.

The nullah had overflowed on Friday morning when rain lashed the city. Dirty water got accumulated on the road along the nullah which gave commuters a tough time.

After a meeting about monsoon arrangements in the city last month, officials of the Municipal Corporation had claimed that as many as 5,000 sand bags would be made available to tackle any emergency situation. 

An MC official said the MC authorities had given directions to the B&R Wing officials to keep a stock of sand bags ready, so those could be used for strengthening the banks of Buddha Nullah. However, the sand bags had not been placed at sensitive points of the nullah, sources said. 

Now, the heaps of waste removed from the nullah are seen on the banks near New Kundan Puri Bridge and other locations. These raise foul smell. Residents have asked the civic body to ensure strengthening of the banks near the railway bridges, Upkar Nagar, New Kundan Puri and other locations. 

“Only three-hour rain made Buddha Nullah overflowing near the Peeru Banda railway bridges on Friday. If the rain had continued for more hours, there would be chances of a flood-like situation in the nearby areas. The civic body should wake up to prevent any disaster,” said Jagjeet Singh, a resident. 

The weed and solid waste in the nullah also obstruct flow of water while desilting work is going at a slow pace. Even no steps have been taken to repair the broken safety walls on the road along the nullah. 

Superintending Engineer of MC Dharam Singh said: “We will take requisite measures for strengthening the banks of Buddha Nullah at the earliest.”