Ground report: Fed up with poor roads, political leaders step in to fund repairs themselves

The condition of roads in the town is so poor that leaders of some political parties have taken it upon themselves to get these repaired at their own expense.

While officials concerned get stuck in lengthy procedure to get proposals for repairs sanctioned, these leaders took cognizance of the plight of commuters and took action.

Meanwhile, officials at the Public Works Department and Punjab Mandikaran Board have claimed that tenders for special repairs of 450 km of roads under the NABARD Infrastructure Development Assistance (NIDA) had already been issued to several contractors.

Roads to be repaired under the NIDA, at an estimated cost of Rs 88.61 crore, included 165 roads. Out of these there are 23 in Jagraon, 25 in Raikot, 11 in Samrala, 10 in Sidhwan Bet, 15 in Kila Raipur, 38 in Mullanpur and 43 in Khanna.

Punjab Mandi Board Executive Engineer Jatin Singla confirmed that works for special repairs of 165 kilometres under NIDA had already been allotted to contractors, who will soon be starting work once the weather is favourable.

Claiming that no special repair work was pending at any of the roads in their jurisdiction, PWD Executive Engineer Pardeep Kumar said no NGOs or individuals had taken permission for undertaking material changes in any government infrastructure.

The majority of the local roads here have been rendered non-motorable and potholed during recent rains. Mud combined with rains further compound the problem by making the surface slippery.

The authorities concerned say the adverse weather had affected the progress of repair on these roads. They said the situation would improve after the completion of the repair work.

Almost all approach roads to the town lie broken due to poor maintenance. Office-bearers and activists of various political parties, including Congress, BJP and SAD, protested against the apathy of the authorities concerned towards the safety and comfort of commuters. Some of them went to the extent of undertaking repairs of certain patches at their own expenses.

Congress leader Kamal Dhaliwal, a probable candidate for Amargarh Assembly constituency, said potholes and pits on the Ahmedgarh-Raikot road had been filled, keeping in view the inconvenience caused to commuters. “There is no hidden political agenda behind the project. We did it in response to the demand raised by the residents,” said Dhaliwal.

Jagdev Singh Boparai, chairman of Boparai Electricals and Electronics, got potholes on the Malaudh-Payal road filled, citing a similar concern for the safety and comfort of commuters.

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