Kidwai Nagar residents call for work on water tank to be halted

In a show of collective defiance, residents of Kidwai Nagar staged a protest on Friday against the Municipal Corporation’s (MC) decision to construct an overhead water tank inside their local park—an area cherished for its greenery and community use. Alongside the demonstration, residents submitted a formal letter to the MC Commissioner, demanding an immediate halt to the project and restoration of the originally proposed site.

The protest comes in response to the MC’s sudden move to shift the tank’s location from a vacant plot to the park, which is home to nearly 10 fully grown silver oak trees and serves as a vital recreational space in the neighbourhood. The tank is part of a World Bank-funded initiative to upgrade Ludhiana’s water infrastructure.

“This park has been part of our lives for decades. We planted these trees ourselves. We are not against development, but it should not come at the cost of nature,” said Dr Vinod Kapoor, a senior resident, while addressing fellow protesters.

Residents alleged that the change in site was made without public consultation or prior notice. The park, equipped with swings and shaded walking paths, is frequented by children, senior citizens and morning walkers alike. Many expressed shock when the demarcation work began inside the park earlier this week.