Akali protest spurs MC to begin road relaying at Manbro Chowk

Residents of Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar and commuters passing through Manbro Chowk and Guru Ravidas Chowk can heave a sigh of relief, as the municipal authorities have begun relaying roads in the area, with completion expected within a week.

The roads had remained dug up for over a year following the laying of pipelines for the surface water project. The Municipal Corporation (MC) had not relaid the roads earlier, citing that the Punjab Water Supplies and Sewage Board officials had not completed proper road compaction.

However, after leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal and devotees from Gurdwara Nauvi Patshahi, Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar, staged a protest at the site on Friday, MC officials sprang into action. Mayor Vaneet Dhir and MC Commissioner Sandeep Rishi visited the site and assured the devotees that the roads would be relaid before November 22, in time for the nagar kirtan marking the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur, as part of a three-day programme at the gurdwara.

Akali leaders, led by district president (urban) Iqbal S Dhindsa, lifted the dharna after receiving the assurance. Soon after, MC machinery arrived, and the road compaction process commenced.

Dhindsa remarked, “AAP minister Mohinder Bhagar and Mayor Dhir often have to pass through this route, yet they never paid heed to the glaring issues faced by residents. Thankfully, they have now given some attention and assurance to the sangat.”

Devotees highlighted that a recent nagar kirtan from Dhogri could not pass through the main route due to safety concerns for both the sangat and palanquin bearers. They expressed hope that the work will be completed in time to ensure smooth access for hundreds of devotees attending the three-day kirtan programme.