MC repair work in full swing, residents call it a poll gimmick

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With the MC elections just around the corner, MC officials, including Commissioner, Joint Commissioners and various department heads, are working round the clock to address long-standing complaints of residents. From wall paintings and graffiti to road repairs, streetlight installations and garbage removal, the city is witnessing a flurry of activity.

Even areas that have been neglected for years are now being visited by MC teams for inspections and upgrades, with the municipal authorities keen to leave no stone unturned in the lead-up to the elections.

However, amid this sudden surge in activity, many residents are skeptical about whether these efforts are genuine or simply an election-time gimmick.

Civic issues that have plagued the city for decades, including poor road infrastructure, faulty streetlights, overflowing sewage, flooded roads and ineffective waste management, remain largely unresolved. Despite repeated promises from previous and current governments, long-lasting solutions seem to remain elusive.

One of the most pressing issues for residents is the growing Wariana garbage dump, which has become a symbol of the city’s mismanagement of waste. Despite its expansion over the years, there remains no concrete plan to address the mounting waste crisis. The dump has led to serious environmental and health concerns, with residents in surrounding areas complaining about foul odour, rodents and pollution. The city generates tonnes of waste daily, but the MC has failed to present a sustainable waste management strategy, leaving the Wariana dump to grow unchecked.

Even residents of multiple localities, including Vikaspuri, Urban Estate and Model Town, have taken to the streets against the garbage dumps in their areas. While these protests have highlighted the severity of the issue, the MC's response has been less than satisfactory, with no clear solutions in sight. Residents fear that the dumps in their areas will become like a Wariana dump as it continues to expand without a viable plan to reduce waste or introduce proper waste segregation, recycling or composting methods.

Manmeet Kaur, a local resident, voiced her concerns over the sudden burst of activity, calling it a mere election gimmick. “What we’re seeing now is all just for show. Once the elections are over, the city will once again be left crying out for basic amenities,” she said.

Kaur pointed to the promises made during the Jalandhar West byelection, where significant efforts were made to tackle the waterlogging issues. However, according to her, no tangible progress had been made since.

Another resident Manohar Lal highlighted the MC’s failure to address even the most basic complaints. “Hundreds of complaints regarding the poor park upkeep, non-functional streetlights and road repairs are still pending on the MC's grievance portal. Despite this, we receive notifications stating that our complaints have been resolved,” he said.

However, Lal expressed hope that the new MC House would take citizens' concerns seriously and prioritise long-term solutions over temporary fixes. “Enough with the short-term patchwork. We deserve to live in a clean and functional city,” he added.