Overflowing sewage, potholed roads, schoolkids grapple with civic apathy

The road leading up to the Government Middle School, Bazigar Basti, in Zirakpur, is a treacherous one for students. Narrow, broken and wrapped in squalid conditions is an everyday reality for children headed to school.

The students brave slush, potholes and unruly vehicles as they tread their way sticking to the sidewalls.

Before the children reach the school gate — which in itself is a picture of decay — their shoes are wet and socks soggy. The students say they have no choice but to head straight to the assembly in the dirty uniform.

Overflowing sewage, dug-up sewage lines and watterlogged pits in the monsoon season have plagued the area for a long time, with residents ruing civic apathy.

The laying of drainage lines has been lingering on for almost a year now but neither the contractor, nor the Municipal Councilor, nor the local Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) have shown initiative to get things moving, the resident rued.

Hundreds of children, mostly from labour class, migrant families, study at the school.

The teaching staff at the school said they have tried their best to get the issue resolve but all work has been in vain.

Nabha Sahib village no different

A similarly situation prevails in a Nabha Sahib village adjacent to the JD Towers near Raddison Hotel on the Zirkapur-Patiala highway.

The civic body had undertaken sewerage-related work in the area in May but it has been on hold ever since.

Despite the repeated requests by area residents to the local councillor and the MLA, the road has not be repaired.

As a result, students studying at a private school are left to undertake a risky commute through the overflowing sewage water on a daily basis.