Chandigarh MC elections: Litter, dung bane of ward 5 residents

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, november 11

The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan may have entered its second leg, but it seems to have had little impact on Congress councillor Sheela Devi’s ward number 5, comprising Dhanas and Sector 25, where littering of dung and waste is the norm.

Dhanas Milk Colony residents say cattle are allowed to be reared in their area and people often dump the dung in a park or inner streets of the residential area. It makes it tough for people residing there.

Avtar Singh, president, Residents Welfare Association, Milk Colony, Dhanas, said, “Buffalo dung is being dumped on roads and in the park. Paver blocks were laid here, but these are of no use as people have kept dung there. You can imagine our plight. We requested the councillor to challan the violators, but she has neither got the area cleared of the waste nor initiated any action against those littering the public area.” “No work of cleanliness was done though she had promised to get the dung cleared and also to provide a clean environment,” he added.

BJP leader Virender Tamta, a resident of a Sector 25 colony, said, “The sewer system remains blocked. MC vehicles come once in two-three days. By that time, the situation becomes unbearable. Sometimes, we get drinking water mixed with sewage. People are suffering from diseases, but the councillor is nowhere to be seen. Residents here do not even know where she lives, leave alone approaching her.”

“In five years, the dilapidated community centre in our area could not be renovated. Slums are on the rise. It is risky here as stabbing incidents are common. The whole area has garbage dumped at different points and there is no cleanliness,” he added.

The councillor has been rarely heard speaking during House meetings to raise issues of the ward. However, she said “my work speaks for itself”.

She won on a seat reserved for a woman candidate. And this time also, her ward has been reserved for a woman candidate.

Sheela Devi, councillor from ward 5

Area: Dhanas, Sector 25

Promises: Road recarpeting, water pipeline and other works

Result: Partly done

Achievements claimed

• Built a community centre in Milk Colony, Dhanas, set up six green belts with open-air gyms
• New water pipeline-laying work underway in Ambedkar, Chaman and Aman colonies
• Road widening and recarepting work done in Dhanas
• Street lights installed in dark spots at Dhanas
• Around 10-15 neighbourhood parks upgraded
• Sector 25 cremation ground upgraded during her term
• High mast, street lights in Sec 25

Councillorspeak

We are going to provide pits to milkmen. This will address the problem of littered dung. In Sector 25, some people throw waste here and there; they should put waste in bins. The sewer issue will be resolved soon. — Sheela Devi

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