Plaints about issues fell on deaf ears: Residents

Mukesh Tandon

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Panipat, March 2

Residents of Ashok Nagar here have been forced to lead a miserable life for the past many years due to several problems, including non-functional sewer line and the deplorable condition of a park built in 1962. Besides, four electricity transformers, which have been installed on a raised platform a little above the ground, and iron poles pose a threat to them. Moreover, big dairies have not been shifted out of the residential area.

Residents complain that the authorities have turned a blind eye to the problem of sewage overflow as the sewer line was laid 20 years ago in the area. Shopkeepers in the market also face several issues every day.

The Resident Welfare Association (RWA) in the area has raised these issues with officials and ruling party leaders on several occasions, but to no avail. They even lodged a complaint at the Chief Minister window.

Pushpender Sharma, patron, RWA of Ashok Nagar, said the MC had laid the sewer line in their area in 2002-2003 after spending crores of rupees, but it remained non-functional. It is a clear-cut example of government funds’ wastage, he added.

“We have taken up the issue several times with officials of the Municipal Corporation and the ruling party’s MLA, but to no avail,” he said.

“Around seven to eight big dairies with 50 to 60 buffaloes are in the area and they disposed of cow dung in the drains on both sides of the road, leaving these drains choked, which also get overflowed. These dairies have not been shifted despite several complaints,” Pushpender said.

Moreover, despite orders from the power department, transformers have not been shifted, he claimed.

RTI activist Anshu Narang, who lives in Ashok Nagar, said four transformers have been installed on a raised platform, just a few feet above the ground. He said these transformer supply electricity to several areas, including Ashok Nagar, Patel Nagar, Ramesh Nagar, Tej Colony, Jawahar Nagar, Uttam Nagar and Naulakha colony.

“These transformers pose a risk to the residents. Several complaints have been filed for their shifting, but nothing has been done. A person died in a mishap around a few years ago and the court had imposed a penalty of Rs 1.75 crore on the power department in this regard. Despite being fined, the department failed to shift these transformers,” he said.

Residents also demand the shifting of iron electric poles from the area.

Advocate Vaibhav Sharma, who also lives in the area, said the park was developed in 1962 in Ashok Nagar, but it is in a state of neglect due to the apathy of MC officials and elected public representatives.

He said the park lacks several facilities, including greenery and beautification. Moreover, there are no arrangements for lights in the park, he added.

Recently, RWA members gave a memorandum to MLA Pramod Vij for the development of the park, he said.

Vaibhav added that they also gave a memorandum for the sewer line, but no action has been taken so far.

“A complaint regarding the non-functional sewer line has been filed on the Chief Minister window. The officials concerned have not been taking action for the past six months,” he added.

Arpit Kumar, SDO, MC (public health wing), said, “The issue of non-functional sewer line was not in my knowledge. Now, it has come to my notice and action will be initiated in this regard.”