From defunct health centre to squalor, poor civic amenities plague Doraha

Efforts were undoubtedly put in by the authorities to resolve problems ailing the town, however, certain issues are yet to be addressed. Non-functional community health centre, unplanned garbage disposal, non-constructed railway overbridge on the Doraha-Neelon stretch, unabated use of plastic and traffic congestion continue to trouble residents.

Advertisement

The town clearly lags behind in the medical area. Though a Mohalla Clinic has come up at Rampur village and another is being set up at Doraha, the Community Health Centre (CHC), which was constructed a year ago, is yet to be operational. The building is still awaiting the permanent recruitment of staff members. The government, even after three years of its construction, has only managed to shift the dispensary staff of Doraha to

the CHC.

3 yrs on, civil hospital awaits inauguration

Unfortunately, the newly constructed building of Guru Hargobind Singh Civil Hospital has been awaiting inauguration for three years after its completion. So much so that the construction no longer bears a new look as the patches have begun to come out from different places. The government seems to be in no hurry to resolve this pressing problem of the general public.

Int’l driving training institute nowhere in sight

The Punjab Government, in association with the Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, had promised to set up north India’s first international driving training institute on 27 acres of land in Doraha. Unfortunately, it failed to see light of the day, thus disappointing hundreds of unemployed youths of the area.

Traffic congestion troubling locals

The traffic congestion in Doraha is far from being resolved. At peak hours, the road becomes almost impassable, with commuters literally jostling against each other to make way. There is simply no check on haphazard parking in the town. Vehicles remain stranded for hours together as there is no traffic police deployed to streamline the same.

Non-functional streetlights

The council has spent lakhs of rupees to install streetlights in Doraha, but they remain non-functional in the absence of maintenance and repair for months. The streetlights have not been fixed for long. The residents have to spend sleepless nights while the council sleeps over the issue.

Garbage on College Road an eyesore

College and school students, bank employees, workers, employees of various establishments, passersby and residents claim that the authorities have failed to resolve the everlasting problem of stinking garbage from the College Road of the town. The spot reels under the obnoxious smell of waste and the mess created by stray animals.

In 2023, the foundation stone of the outlet of the treated water of STP 2.75 MLD on the Araichan road to the drain along Sirhind Canal had been laid at a total cost of Rs 2.28 crore. The town is still reeling under the problem of sewage overflow. The moment it rains, the roads become inundated.

Not only the Railway Road but Lakkar Mandi, the street near Sidhu Hospital, all look alike. In addition, providing relief to the residents, especially those waiting to board the buses at the stand, a public toilet has been built.

The passengers, especially women, faced problem in its absence and now, since toilets have been erected, the passengers as well as the locals have heaved a sigh of relief.

Moreover, the work of rob on Neelon-Doraha stretch is expected to begin this year, as informed by the local MLA. The ROB could not see the light of day due to the non-clearance from the railway authorities. Meanwhile, the “disappeared” Neelon-Doraha road has reduced the lives of commuters to a virtual hell. The road has eroded to the extent that when it pours, it cannot be

demarcated from the adjoining canal.