Amid civic neglect in Sangrur, kin forced to carry body over sewage

Accumulation of dirty water in Ramnagar Basti of Sangrur forced family of a retired Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) DSP Ranbir Singh Sidhu to lay wooden planks across the street to carry his body to the cremation ground – in the city where Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has his private residence.

Kamalpreet Kaur, daughter of Sidhu, said, “My father died of dengue on October 28. We brought his body home by walking over wooden planks placed on the sewage. We requested officials to clear dirty water, but to no avail. Finally, we again had to walk on wooden planks to carry his body for the cremation ground.” She added, “Now, we have started ‘Akhand Path’ at home. Even the Guru Granth Sahib was brought home through sewage-filled street.”

Locals said the street had been overflowing with sewage for months.

Pradeep Batish, a neighbour of Sidhu, said, “If this is the situation in the Chief Minister’s own city, what can one expect in other cities?”

Lalit Kumar, Sub-Divisional Engineer of the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Sangrur, said, “We were not aware of the problem. A team will be sent to drain out the stagnant water. The drainage work was handed over to civic body in September. We are now just assisting the MC.”

Akash Kumar, Executive Officer of the Municipal Council, said, “We have recently taken over the sewage work. Once the tenders are done, we will take full charge. The situation has improved in parts of the city.” Ten councillors had recently withdrawn their support to MC president Bhupinder Singh Nahal over the cleanliness issue.