Jalandhar grappling with waterlogging woes, civic body’s apathy exposed

The rain that lashed the city on Friday has once again laid bare the tall claims of the Municipal Corporation, leaving several roads and localities waterlogged even a day later. The situation has sparked outrage among residents, who accused the civic body of failing to address long-standing drainage issues.

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Key stretches such as Ladowali Road near the DC office, Pratap Bagh, Gazi Gulla Road and Johal Market remained submerged, making commuting a nightmare. Industrial Area roads were also inundated, severely affecting commuters, roadside vendors and cart-pullers. Residents of Gandhi Camp, Kabir Nagar and Kalia Colony reported that sewage-mixed water had already been flooding their streets due to choked sewer and now, the rain had further deteriorated the situation.

Anita Kumari, a resident of Gandhi Camp, said, “Most people living in these colonies belong to poor families who don’t know how to file complaints or approach MC officials. As a result, our area is often ignored. Sewer lines should be cleaned regularly to avoid such problems.” She also pointed out the dangers of hidden potholes beneath waterlogged roads, which often led to accidents and vehicle damage.

“Despite the residents’ grievances, the civic body has made little headway in resolving the issue. MC officials claimed that addressing waterlogging was a priority and work was underway, but no significant improvement was visible on the ground,” she added.

Many residents expressed disappointment over the inaction by the newly elected mayor and councillors, who had promised to prioritise civic issues during elections. “It’s been almost two months since the new mayor took charge, but nothing has changed. The situation remains the same, with garbage littered all around and waterlogging everywhere, even outside prominent offices like the DC office on Ladowali Road,” said Mahesh, an employee at PUDA Complex.