38-day protest over sewage pool ends, pipeline work begins in Phillaur

A 38-day-long protest over waterlogging on the Phillaur highway, led by social organisations, commuters and devotees, outside the BDPO office in Phillaur, has finally come to an end. The protest concluded after the announcement of a much-awaited water pipeline project to clear the highway of the sewage pool.

The declaration came two days before Phillaur residents had threatened to hold a black flag march on Independence Day, August 15, over the issue. The Tribune had earlier highlighted the problem in a July 24 report titled, “A perennial puddle of woes for commuters, villagers near Phillaur.”

To celebrate their victory, residents led by the Lok Insaaf Manch — the key organisation that led the dharna through rain and sunshine — held a “Jetu Rally and March” on the streets of Phillaur on Wednesday, marking the end of the people’s protest, which lasted from July 7 to August 13.

As a solution to drain the dirty water in front of the gate of Dera Maiya Bhagwan, the Phillaur administration assured the start of work after Tehsildar Phillaur Mandeep Singh informed residents that the project would be completed without any hindrance, in the presence of BDPO Rajinder Kaur. Pipelines were also brought to the designated site on Tuesday to redirect the sewage waters. The Lok Insaaf Manch team consequently announced the end of the prolonged dharna.

The persistent water pool at the National Highway has caused several accidents, inconvenienced devotees of the famous Maiya Bhagwan Dera and made commuting difficult for nearby convent school students. The urgency to remove the water increased due to the upcoming annual mela (fair), Maiyan Bhagwan Da, starting on August 23, which would have forced scores of devotees to wade through sludge. A water pipeline diverting the water to a nearby sewage pond was identified as the only viable solution.

Following their victory rally at Phillaur, residents marched across the town with the red banner of “Jetu Rally and March,” passing through Phillaur city, Lakkar Mandi, Bhagwan Valmik Chowk, Dr Ambedkar Chowk and concluding at Dera Maiya Bhagwan Darbar with garland offerings. The grand rally at the BDPO office was also addressed by leaders of various fraternal and farm organisations. Lok Insaaf Manch President Jarnail Phillaur expressed heartfelt gratitude to all cooperating organisations and administrators of Dera Maiya Bhagwan for their united stand on water drainage.

Leaders demanded timely completion of the project, warning that failure to do so would trigger another large-scale agitation, for which the Phillaur administration would be held responsible. On the side-lines of the march, the Lok Insaaf Manch also announced plans to hold a Maha Panchayat in Phillaur on September 28 — the birth anniversary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh — to discuss local issues of Halqa Phillaur.

Leader Karnail Phillaur said, “Both panchayats have passed resolutions for Rs 33 lakh; 10 lakh more is required, but pipes have been brought in, and we have been assured the work will be completed in record time. This is a success of the people’s resolve, who were tormented by the problem. We have decided to end the morcha for now.”