Yadavindra Enclave, Patiala, residents angry, restrict leaders’ entry

Ravneet Singh

Tribune News Service

Patiala, November 9

Residents of Maharaja Yadavindra Enclave on the Patiala-Nabha road here have restricted the entry of politicians in their area. The Area Welfare Association, which is miffed over Improvement Trust’s inability to resolve the issues faced by colony residents, has installed a flex board outside the colony stating the same. But officials of the Improvement Trust, while rejecting the claims, said they had already floated tenders and prepared estimates to carry out works of the society.

Residents claimed that despite meeting officials of the Improvement Trust several times nothing had been done.

Parmvir Singh, president of the welfare association, said, “The colony was launched in 2003-04. We were assured a primary school in the colony, instead, the land allocated for it has been sold in plots. A community hall was also supposed to be constructed, but the land designated for it has been lying vacant since. The department has also failed to provide a storm water discharge system. This leads to stagnation of rainwater which ultimately damages the area roads.”

He said, “Over 300 families live in the colony which faces security threats as its boundary walls have been damaged and not repaired in the last four months.”

Association general secretary Manish Jindal said, “We contacted officials of the Improvement Trust several times, but the connection between the two manholes, one in the colony and another outside, has been blocked for years. The sewerage water of the colony is discharged into a manhole outside the colony through a pipe attached with a motor. This is also leading to spread of smell.”

Gopal Singla, SSS Board member and husband of area councillor Minakshi Singla, said, “This colony’s maintenance is managed by the Improvement Trust. We can’t interfere in its functioning. We have reached out to the chairman for resolution of the grievances. Some progress in terms of carrying out the works has been initiated.”

Chairman, Improvement Trust, Sant Lal Banga, while rejecting the allegations, said, “The works are being carried out in a phased manner. We are already making provisions to solve their issues. We are short of funds but have passed a tender for carrying out the sewerage works of the society worth Rs 30 lakh. Also, estimates worth Rs 35 lakh for carrying out roadworks have also been prepared and a resolution to carry out the work has been passed. The works are expected to begin soon.”