Recarpeting work incomplete in Chandigarh's Ward No. 16

Sandeep Rana

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 15

Road recarpeting work could not be completed and garbage dumps remained where they were during the five-year term of Ward Number 16 councillor Rajesh Kumar Gupta Bittu. The recarpeting work in the ward, comprising Sectors 20 and 33, started quite late due to a shortage of funds with the MC.

Dr OP Verma, president, Residents Welfare Association, Sector 20, said, “People dump waste here and there. The garbage bin kept near Adarsh Model School is always overflowing. No effort has been made to remove the waste dump near house number 2670. While it is claimed that the city is open defecation free, vendors answer nature’s call in the open in Sectors 20-C and D.”

Councillorspeak

I have been regularly getting garbage removed from dumping sites. Sometimes, it takes two-four days to clear horticulture waste. We urge people not to dump waste in the open. Recarpeting has been completed in most areas. —Councillor Rajesh Kumar Gupta Bittu

He said, “Inner roads are in a deplorable condition. The authorities concerned adopt a pick-and-choose policy while building toe walls in parks. Two years ago, light poles were erected in parks, but they are still without light fittings.”

Residents of Sector 33 also face similar issues. Jagdish Singh Sarpal, president, Residents Welfare Association, Sector 33, said, “A ground in Sector 33-B has become a temporary dumping ground. It causes foul smell in the adjoining area. Despite complaints by residents, it has not been removed yet. Roads have also not been recarpeted for a long time. No attention is paid towards the poor condition of government houses. It is a low-lying area and faces flood-like situation during monsoon.” Sector 33 also has the Terraced Garden where the annual Chrysanthemum Flower Show is held. “During rain, the newly built underpass remains waterlogged,” said Sarpal.

“The fountain, which used to be the main feature of the garden, has been non-functional for a long time,” said Jagdeep Mahajan, head of Sector 32-33 Residents Welfare Association.

Bittu, who deals in second-hand cars, is a third-time councillor from this ward. This year, the ward has been reserved for a woman candidate. He may try to field a woman family member or contest from some other ward. The BJP leader said, “Whatever the party says, he will go by that.”

With regard to Terraced Garden, he said, “All four shops there have now been rented out. Waterlogging in the underpass will not be a problem in the next monsoon as the related work has been allocated.”

Rajesh Kumar Gupta Bittu: BJP councillor from Ward Number 16

Area: Sectors 20 and 33
Promises: Improving civic amenities
Result: Partly done

Achievements claimed

• Community centre in Sector 33; work on Sector 20 community centre nearing completion
  Recarpeting of V4, V5 roads; V6 road will be recarpeted soon
  New road gullies built to prevent waterlogging
  Sewer work carried out in areas
  Government houses upgraded
  Fogging drive