Ludhiana, March 12
The common complaint of lack of civic amenities and common utility services of residents of a Urban Estate locality on Dugri Road here would be redressed in the near future as the Municipal Corporation, which took over the colony from PUDA for maintenance a few months back, has drawn up elaborate plans to undertake several development projects in the area.
The MC Commissioner, Mr R.L. Kalsia, told a visiting deputation of the Urban Estate Residents Welfare Society, headed by its president, Mr B.R. Kaushal, that the civic body had earmarked Rs 50 lakh for intensive repair and resurfacing of roads, an estimate for providing new streetlights was under preparation and the matter had been taken up with the PSEB to release pending connections to new streetlight points for which PUDA had already deposited the requisite money.
The delegation comprised Mr P.S. Bawa, Lieut-Col H.L. Bambh (retd) and Maj S.S. Khosla. Mr S.K. Sharma, Additional Commissioner, and many other senior civic officials were also present during the meeting.
Responding to the point made by erratic working of existing streetlights, the Commissioner issued instructions to entrust the maintenance of streetlight on internal roads also to private contractors. In order to improve the sanitation level of the colony and to deal with the problem of garbage being littered all over, two garbage containers were being provided for localities in Phase II. The residents were also asked to set up mohalla sanitation committees so that they could get involved in the sanitation drive.
While Mr Kalsia told the delegation that providing a second bridge on the Sidhwan canal, near CRPF quarters, was not feasible for the time being due to financial constraints, he assured that the demand for widening the existing old bridge near Dugri village would be favourably examined. MC officials were directed to assess the possibility of four
planning of the main road between Preet Palace Cinema and Dugri and installation of
traffic lights, wherever needed.
Mr Kaushal and other members of the delegation pointed out towards persistent scarcity of drinking water and inadequate sewerage disposal facilities. While the Commissioner said the civic body would take necessary steps to boost the water supply and further strengthen the sewerage system, he explicitly told the residents that use of Tullu pump on water mains would not be allowed and would be liable for penal action.
In the wake of pathetic condition of various parks in the colony, the association was asked to initiate formation of the park management committee. Mr Kalsia assured the delegation that the MC would retain the maintenance of the Mini Rose Garden in Phase II as desired by the residents while other parks could be improved and maintained by the park management committee with financial and infrastructure support from the MC.
Several other issues like provision of local bus shelters, proper maintenance and landscaping of cremation ground and construction of small roundabouts at busy intersections for smooth flow of traffic also came under discussion and evoked favourable response from the civic authorities.
