Ludhiana: Despite launch events, road, sewer works yet to begin

Despite two launch events for the construction of a road and laying of a new sewer line in the past one year, works have not started on the Sarpanch Colony road in the Bachittar Nagar market, leaving residents and shopkeepers to deal with sewage overflow and waterlogging for years.

The situation worsens even after light rain when nearly three feet of dirty water accumulates on the market road. During heavy rain, water enters shops, damaging goods and affecting business. Residents said the problem had persisted for several years but no permanent solution had been found.

Residents said the Bachittar Nagar market was a low-lying area than surrounding streets. As many of the streets had been raised over the years, rainwater flows towards the low-lying market. With the existing sewerage system unable to drain the water properly, rainwater mixes with sewage and remains stagnant on the road.

Once the water recedes, a thick layer of foul-smelling sludge and sewage remains on the road. Residents said the roadside drainage grills were also frequently clogged with waste.

Residents said launch events were held for the construction of the road and installation of a new sewer line near the flour mill and Ganpati Chowk by the local MLA and councillor. However, despite the two ribbon-cutting ceremonies, the works had not started on the ground.

They said a promise was made during the elections to undertake road and sewerage works. Now, residents were questioning why the project has remained pending despite the launch events.

Residents Prem Lata Sharma and Sunil Kumar said people were forced to wade through sewage water during the rainy season. They said the stagnant water left behind foul-smelling sludge and created conditions favourable for mosquito breeding.

The issue is also affecting shopkeepers, who said customers avoided the market during waterlogging and goods were at risk of being damaged when water entered shops.

Dairy waste adds to woes

Residents also pointed towards the presence of dairies in the surrounding area. They alleged that cattle dung sometimes enters the sewerage system, worsening the already poor drainage conditions.

They said the market receives water from higher areas while the poor sewerage system fails to drain it. As a result, the market becomes a collection point for rainwater and sewage.

Residents said they regularly send photographs and videos during rainy days to the MLA and councillor but alleged that the complaints had not resulted in any permanent solution.

Some of the residents said some people in surrounding higher areas were opposing the proposed road work as they fear that raising the road level could lead to water accumulation in their areas.

Despite repeated attempts Jaspal Singh Grewal, councillor of Ward 22, was not available for comments.

Residents, however, said such technical issues should be resolved by the civic body through proper drainage planning instead of leaving the market residents to suffer for years. They have demanded that the road and sewerage work be started without further delay and a permanent drainage solution be put in place.