Ahead of Chhath Puja, Congress MLA leads canal clean-up drive in Phagwara

In a gesture that has drawn widespread public attention and appreciation, Congress MLA from Phagwara, Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal, led a canal cleaning drive ahead of the upcoming Chhath Puja, stressing the importance of respecting the sentiments of migrant devotees who observe the festival with deep faith.

The drive was carried out near the Phagwara Chowki canal, which had reportedly been neglected and was choked with garbage and stagnant, foul-smelling water. The MLA said that despite repeated appeals, the Municipal Corporation and government authorities had failed to take responsibility for ensuring cleanliness and hygiene in the area before the festival.

“When I visited the site, I was shocked to see the pathetic condition of the canal. It was filled with waste and sludge. The government has completely ignored its duty, but we cannot allow the faith of thousands of devotees to be insulted,” Dhaliwal stated.

Taking matters into his own hands, Dhaliwal, along with a team of local Congress workers, began the cleaning work himself. Photographs and videos of the MLA wading into the canal with cleaning tools have since gone viral on social media, earning him praise from residents and migrant communities alike.

He pointed out that thousands of migrant devotees—mostly from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand—gather at the canal every year to offer prayers to the Sun God during Chhath Puja, standing in the water for long hours as part of the ritual. “This is not merely a festival; it is an expression of devotion and gratitude. The government’s apathy is deeply disappointing. We will ensure that the devotees can perform their rituals in a clean and safe environment,” Dhaliwal said.

The MLA further noted that this was not the first time he had taken direct action where civic authorities had failed. Earlier this month, ahead of the Vishwakarma Day Fair, Dhaliwal reportedly spent from his own pocket to repair Banga Road, which had been riddled with potholes for months, easing traffic congestion and public movement during the festivities.

By personally stepping into the canal, Dhaliwal said he wanted to send a message that public representatives must lead by example, especially when it comes to issues of public faith and community welfare. “Leadership is about service, not ceremony. If the government neglects its duty, it becomes our moral responsibility to act,” he remarked.

Residents of Phagwara, particularly members of the migrant workforce, expressed gratitude for the MLA’s initiative, saying it reflected empathy and accountability rarely seen in politics today. The act has also reignited debate over the state government’s failure to maintain civic infrastructure and provide basic facilities during religious and cultural festivals.