Malawali residents demand removal of encroachments

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 28

Residents of Malawali in Ward No. 5 of the Municipal Corporation (MC) have complained to the Deputy Commissioner and MCCommissioner regarding encroachments on the village drain.

The residents said the drain connected the village with a big drain in which rainwater was released earlier. They complained that residents of nearby villages had covered the small drain and a passage had been constructed on it.

During a visit to the village, residents showed the damage caused to streets and crops due to water inundation as there was no outflow of water.

Village resident Kuljit Singh Malawali said, “The minor drain was around 11 feet wide. As the area has been encroached upon, there is no passage to drain out water.” He alleged that the water accumulated in the village was causing damage to houses and crops.

Another resident, Karamjit Singh, said, “We have demanded action against the people and officials, who have allowed it to happen.” He said the minor drain served many villages in the area during rains.

“Now as the drain abruptly ends in our village, the water coming from other villages remains stagnant here for days,” said another resident, Lakhbir Singh. He said the MC must take immediate action so that the further loss can be stopped.