Contaminated water supply, choked sewer irks Chheharta residents

Charanjit Singh Teja

Amritsar, July 14

Despite holding protests against the municipal corporation (MC) and the state government, there is no relief for residents of the West constituency, who have been getting supply of contaminated potable water and facing regular blockage of sewers. Residents of Chheharta, Partap Mill, Guru Ki Wadali and Khandwlaa have been facing the problem of choked sewer for the past few years. They have been regularly demonstrating against the MC.

Last week, a big protest was organised by the locals outside the MC Zonal office in Chheharta. Former Senior Deputy Mayor and senior Congress leader Raman Bakshi also joined residents during the protest. Residents alleged that they were residing in hell like conditions as sewer water accumulated in streets and they were getting contaminated potable water supply.

I held a meeting with the Municipal Corporation Commissioner last week and discussed the issues in detail. Due to hot and humid weather, the work of desilting was stopped for three to four days. After rain, the work has resumed. Super sucker machines are now desilting sewer lines. —Jasbir Singh Sandhu, MLA, Amritsar West constituency

Former Senior Deputy Mayor Bakshi raised the question on the experimental efforts of the MC to address the issues. He said, “The MC has failed to provide any solution to the problems. Officials are experimenting with improper methods to solve issues instead of using technical methods.”

He said, “All localities in the Chheharta area were flooded after rain. It took six hours to drain rainwater through disposal pumps. There is no end to the woes of the public. Residents are suffering from diseases as the water supply is contaminated.”

Residents have given a call for a demonstration against the MC on Wednesday. Gurdev Singh, a resident said, “We know that demonstrations are not sufficient to wake up the government from deep slumber, but we don’t have any other option.”

Jasbir Singh Sandhu, MLA, Amritsar West constituency, said, “I held a meeting with the Municipal Corporation Commissioner last week and discussed the issues in detail. Due to hot and humid weather, the work of desilting was stopped for three to four days. After rain, the work has resumed. Super sucker machines are now desilting sewer lines.”

Talking about permanent solution to the sewer choking issue, the MLA said, “Desilting of sewer lines is not a solution. The capacity of the sewage treatment plant (STP) should be increased. It was enhanced 20 years ago. The incumbent governments did not make efforts to increase its capacity. Now, leaders are demonstrating against the government. What have they done during their tenure?”

He said, “We have sent a proposal to the Central Government to enhance the capacity of the STP from 95 MLD to 150 MLD. We will start the work soon after the approval of the Central Government.”