Open House: What main issues plague state's industrial capital Ludhiana?

Enforce speed limits in city

Roads of the industrial town are becoming death traps. Innocent lives continue to be snuffed out in accidents on potholed and broken roads in the city. Besides, there is no mechanism to enforce speed limits in Ludhiana. Commuters indulge in speeding vehicles, which often leads to mishaps. The traffic police must enforce speed limits on city roads. Heavy penalty must be imposed on drivers violating speed limits in the city.

Aamani Jain

Want development, not freebies

However good things may seem, not much has changed in Ludhiana despite political leaders’ tall claims of providing maximum employment to people below poverty line. Two ugly legacies contradict their claim. One child labour and second exploitation of poverty stricken people. Come elections and freebies are being doled out. The fact remains that people need jobs and development and not subsides. Instead of providing freebies, Ludhiana residents need more infrastructure, improved sanitation, better garbage collection system, clean environment and playgrounds for children.

Novin Christopher

No end to traffic congestion in city

There are many issues, which plague the industrial town. The first and the foremost problem is vehicular traffic in the town. Despite best efforts of the administration, traffic congestion persists in the city, especially during the peak morning and evening hours. A concrete solution to the problem is the need of the hour. Second issue is illegal colonies and encroachments. Such violations cannot go on without the connivance of some corrupt officials. Besides, choked sewers during rainy season and lack of clean drinking water supply inconvenience residents. The list of issues, which the city faces is endless. Therefore, whosoever wants to win the election from the Ludhiana constituency, must look into all these problems and his/her win is guaranteed.

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi

All parties just make big promises

Each contesting party makes tall promises to woo voters in every elections. But after any party comes into power nothing changes. Residents of this industrial town want that the newly elected government should pay proper attention to the growth of industry while focusing on establishment of more units. Ludhiana needs proper health facilities with affordable charges. The city needs modern education system at par with developed countries, along with job opportunities. This will reduce exodus of students to other countries.

Dr Mohd Saleem Farooqui

Focus on promoting industrial units

The city is hub of large and small manufacturing industries. This has led to rapid urbanisation and population growth over the last few decades. This has also created issues like pollution, environmental degradation and growth of slums. Now, many industrial units are moving out of Punjab or have shut down. The smaller units (MSMEs), which supply parts to big industries, have been hammered. Cheap imports from China have only added to their woes. Ludhiana has, therefore, seen de-industrialization during the last few decades. Rising cost of operation in Punjab has led to exodus of industrial units to other states. Any party, which comes to power in state, should focus on protecting industry by facilitating technology upgradation, accelerating credit availability and cluster development, formulating new schemes, stabilising prices of raw material and development of industrial parks.

RS SEMBHI

More job avenues for women

Political parties started doling out freebies to voters for getting votes. Big promises are made by all parties contesting elections. Residents want free education for all sections of society and best treatment in both government and private hospitals at reasonable price. More focus should be on education by implementing a new course curriculum. There must be a special institute for self-help groups of women. More job avenues must be provided to women. Dirty drains such as Budha Nullah must be cleaned by plugging waste coming from dying factories on a priority basis. Incentives must be given in the form of subsidies to boost the industry in Ludhiana.

Farzana Khan

Crime is on rise in city

Covid and its variants have wreaked havoc in the economy of the whole country. Today the industrial capital of Punjab is facing disruption from all quarters. The problem of air pollution in the city has never been properly attended to. Snatching incidents and crime is on the rise in the city. Traffic chaos and bad roads are the root cause of accidents. Industries suffer due to high prices of raw materials and free power cuts. All these issues must be addressed on urgent basis.

Dr Sunil Chopra

Give tax relief to industry

People have many expectations from the party, which will win the upcoming Assembly elections. The main issues, which the industrial town is grappling with, are pollution in the environment, traffic congestion, potholed and broken roads, bad rainwater disposal system and corruption in the administration. The industry is suffering due to the ongoing pandemic should be given relief in taxes.

Adish Sood, Amloh

Move out industry from main city

There has always been an issue of poor power supply to the city. Small industry like sewing machine and bicycles parts manufacturing units cause pollution in the city. This affects health of residents, who contract diseases. All out efforts must be made to move out these units from the main city. The city has a bad reputation of poor drainage. Sewage overflows on streets and roads especially during the rainy season. Also, there are no proper arrangements for the disposal of the household waste. Piles of garbage can be seen along main roads and entry points to the city. These issue needs special attention. Among many other amenities, the more CCTV cameras must be installed in industrial areas to check thefts during night.

Gautam Dev

Formulate policy to revive sick units

There are various issues, which the industrial sector faces in the city. Issues like corruption, weak industrial policy, political interference in big industries and high power rate need to be addressed urgently. Industry in Punjab is passing through a difficult phase. The government, which comes to power, must formulate schemes to revive sick units.

Ritu Priya

Ludhiana needs international airport

Ludhiana being industrial town needs an international airport to boost business activities. Many announcements have been made in this regard, but in reality lot needs to be done. Green belts should be developed all around the city. Parking lots should be allotted to reduce parking of vehicles on city roads, which creates traffic congestion. Budha Nullah should be covered. City should have AIMS like hospital to provide better healthcare to residents. More employment avenues must be created for educated residents. All citizens should vote for party, which can resolve problems at the earliest.

Vikas Sharma

Promote use of green energy

The Assembly elections always bring new hope for development in society. Ludhiana is Punjab’s industrial capital. The city is backbone of the state economy. The focus of political parties should be mainly on issues like infrastructure development, construction of roads and hike in wages of the work force. Also, stress should be on using green energy like solar power to lessen carbon emission and improve air quality in the city. Healthcare in the city should be improved.

Jhalak Jalan

QUESTION

The recent spell of rains has once again exposed the non-existent drainage system, besides laying bare the quality and workmanship of the recently recarpeted roads in the city. Should officials responsible for undertaking such works worth crores be taken to task?

Suggestions in not more than 70 words can be sent to [email protected]

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