Efforts made but a lot needs to be done in Doraha

Lovleen Bains

Doraha, December 28

Doraha town witnessed development projects being undertaken at a good pace this year but there are issues which have remained unresolved for years together and need to be attended to on a priority basis. The administrative department, police officials and NGOs made constructive efforts to bring about a healthy change in the town. Efforts put in by Payal MLA Lakhvir Singh Lakha coupled with the works done by Municipal Council chief Sudarashan Kumar Pappu, Doraha is changing for the better. However, the problems of sewer accumulation, unplanned garbage disposal, broken roads, unabated use of plastic and traffic congestion remained unresolved.

Highs

Water treatment plant to be set up: Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has recently announced a grant of Rs 13 crore for the setting up of a treatment plant near Gurthali pull. The sewerage treatment plant installed by GLADA had failed to cope up with the inflow and the town gets inundated even after a slight downpour. Residents have been grappling with the problem for years together.

Huge garbage dump to be shifted out of town: Setting up of a dump on 2 acres near Gurthali pull is also on the cards. The huge dump near the telephone exchange, which has been inconveniencing residents for long, would be hopefully shifted. The garbage will be treated to produce manure which would be used by farmers of surrounding villages.

Community hall renovated: The community hall, which was built years ago to facilitate the needy, has been renovated with the efforts of the council chief Sudarshan Kumar Pappu who is seen less as a Congress leader and more as a man of the masses. The renovated hall will now be made available to the needy who can organise their events at a nominal cost.

Construction, repair of streets and roads: Construction and repair works of various streets and roads, including the Araichan road, are going on at a fast pace. Tenders for the construction of dharamshalas and community halls for the Shigligar Basti, Sapera Basti and Muslim communities have been passed.

Community health centre almost ready: The 40-year-old problem of the absence of a hospital has been resolved as the building of the community health centre (CHC) is nearing completion. People of the town as well as surrounding villages were facing grave problems in the absence of a civil hospital. They were generally left without medication as they could not afford visiting private doctors and paying huge fees to them.

Police station to be shifted: The new building of the police station, Doraha, is being constructed. The shifting of the station from the busy railway road area is expected to ease traffic congestion. The problem of accidental or other vehicles stranded in front of the police station will be resolved with the shifting of the station outside the town.

Lows

While developmental works are being undertaken in the town, some issues still demand attention and early resolve.

Encroachments: Encroachments in Doraha town are a nightmare for commuters as well as local residents. Encroachments by shopkeepers and vendors on both sides of the only main market road, present a poor picture of the town.

Heaps of garbage an eyesore: Permanent heaps of garbage dumped at places visited by a majority of the residents, employees and students have not only become an eyesore but also a major cause of spread of various diseases and infections. The municipal authorities seem to be helpless in providing a permanent remedy for the same.

Neelon-Doraha stretch a virtual hell: The Doraha-Neelon stretch, where the proposed work on ROB has to be initiated, has hit commuters hard. The commuters have to shell out money at the toll twice, in a distance of mere five kilometers. The authorities are completely oblivious about it and nothing substantial has come out for the past many years.

The problem of sewage disposal: The Doraha-Jaipura road is the worst hit due to the sewer overflow. The road connects several villages. It has been almost four years since sewer water began flowing on to the road and made the life of residents, commuters and villagers a virtual hell. They have made several complaints but to no avail.

Traffic congestion: The traffic congestion in Doraha has assumed grave proportions as there is simply no check on the haphazard parking in the town. Vehicles remain stranded for hours together, thanks to the callous attitude of the traffic police personnel.

Stoppage of trains: Residents and rail passengers have demanded more stoppages of trains in the town as it would boost the income of the railways in a commendable manner.

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