EAR TO THE GROUND: Poor civic amenities raise stink

People in the constituency are peeved at the stink emanated by Kasur Nullah in heart of Balmiki Colony here. A group of women comprising Nimmo, Parveen and Sheela, say their relatives, including daughters married outside, hesitate to visit them due to the unbearable stench. Kishan Lal, a resident, says: “Months back, we questioned our MLA when he had visited the colony. We are still awaiting his reply.”

Past trend

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After the lifting of Emergency in 1977, Tarn Taran always voted in favour of Akali candidates till the 1992 election, when Congress candidate Dilbag Singh Daleke registered victory. Again in 2017, Congress’ Dr Dharambeer Agnihotri won, defeating SAD candidate.Electorate strength

Total voters: 1,89,659

Male: 99,334

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Female: 90,318

Third gender: 7

Locals’ key demands

• Create self-employment avenues for youth
• Conservation and disposal of rainwater in villages
• Covering Kasur Nullah
• Recarpeting of main road passing through Tarn Taran
• Building for Government Elementary School, Gali Mastara Wali
• Playground for Government Senior Secondary School

“We neither have clean drinking water nor sewerage. Local doctors confirm the stomach ailments among a large number of local residents are due to unclean drinking water. Some residents have installed submersible pumps, but the majority can’t afford these,” says Daljit Singh, another resident.

“The government allowed haphazard growth in the town. We don’t have adequate parks or playgrounds for our children. Mismanaged traffic especially at Bohriwala chowk is commonplace,” says Niranjan Kaur, a resident.