Villagers float paper boats to highlight road woes in Hoshiarpur

The Labour Party launched a "No Road, No Vote" campaign in Laksihan village by floating paper boats in stagnant rainwater collected in large potholes, protesting the poor condition of village roads and alleged government apathy.

Led by Labour Party president Jai Gopal Dhiman and contractor Gurbaksh Singh, protesters staged a demonstration on the village ring road, where rainwater has accumulated in deep potholes. They said the damaged road connects several nearby villages, including Mahlan, Bhana, Mogopatti, Ispur, Kot Fatuhi and Mahilpur, and is used daily by schoolchildren, cyclists and commuters.

Dhiman alleged that despite people paying road tax, vehicle tax and cess on petrol and diesel, they continue to suffer due to neglected roads. He said the poor condition of the road has led to frequent vehicle damage, accidents, waterlogging during the monsoon and dust pollution during dry weather, posing risks to public health.

Demanding immediate reconstruction of the road, the protesters warned that the campaign would be intensified if the authorities failed to act.

Among those present were Gurbaksh Singh, Sukhwinder Singh, Dalvir Singh, Jai Ram Pali, Lucky, Vinod Kumar, Amit Kumar, Kulwinder Rai and Manjinder Singh.