Promised Singapore tag, Bapu Dham residents kept battling civic issues

Unkept promises

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Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 28

BJP councillor Dalip Sharma had promised to make Bapu Dham Colony (BDC) a Singapore during the 2016 MC elections. Five years down the line, let alone making it Singapore, even basic civic issues of the colony could not be resolved.

Residents complained of sewage flowing on to the road, ill-maintained parks, no upgradation of community centre, parking problem and poor sanitation.

“The councillor promised to make the colony a Singapore, but even basic things are lacking here. Cleanliness is a big issue. Parks are not maintained. Sewers are choked most of the times. The sewage overflows on to the road. It not only makes the area stink, but pedestrians and bike riders find it tough to use the road,” said Kishan Lal, president, RWA, Bapu Dham Colony.

Lal said the residents were also promised the ownership rights of houses allotted on leasehold basis, but it was not done. “The people here suffered due to bad roads. These have now been recarpeted in the fifth year of the MC term, ahead of the elections. Besides, no proper arrangement of parking could be made as promised. Vehicles are parked on the roadside, causing chaos,” he added.

Ravi Kumar, an area resident, said, “The major park of the area near the police chowki could not be developed because of four-five jhuggis. Another park adjoining the kerosene pump has street vendors. A half of the premises of the community centre is being used by the police chowki and in five years, it could not be claimed. The residents have to go to other areas to book space for organising their events.”

The councillor said, “I promised to make it a Singapore on the basis of my project in which walking track-cum-green belt was to be developed along Sukhna Choe. A sports ground was to be built too, but the forest wing and the UT Administration took over four years to decide the jurisdiction of the land. Now, its map has been prepared and the work will start soon. The area falls under the Administration.”

On other issues, he said, “About 90 per cent of the sewerage has no problem. At some places, sewers get choked due to some people throwing clothes, glasses and other garbage into it. Sanitation is better than what it was earlier. Maintenance is no issue.”

BOX: Ticket to MC House

The BJP leader was denied a ticket from this ward in the 2016 MC elections. Dalip then contested independently and won. Later, ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, he rejoined the party. His ward is not reserved in the new list declared recently and he seems hopeful of getting the party ticket this time.

Box

Dalip Sharma

Councillor: Ward number 19

Area: Sector 26, Bapu Dham

Promise: To make Bapu Dham Colony a Singapore

Result: Basic civic issues persist

*Achievements claimed:

Built two new parks, third under progress

Sewage, storm and water pipelines laid at required places

Built tubewell

Laid paver blocks on footpaths

Roads recarpeted