Garbage, stray animals greet visitors in PUDA complex
Avneet Kaur
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, August 18
The PUDA complex near the District Commissioner’s office is neglected and business owners and visitors are increasingly frustrated by the deteriorating conditions.
The complex, which houses a number of shop-cum-offices (SCOs), banks, media houses and dining outlets, is grappling with poor sanitation and non-functional streetlights, leading to a surge in theft and anti-social activities at nights.
Vacant plots within the complex have turned into makeshift garbage dumps, attracting stray animals that rummage through the waste, posing health risks to those who frequent the area. Reports of bike theft, particularly during late evening hours, have become distressingly common, with visitors and business owners feeling unsafe.
Despite the high traffic of daily visitors and the presence of media offices and financial institutions, the authorities appear indifferent to the growing issues. The blame game between PUDA and Municipal Corporation (MC) officials has left the SCO owners in a lurch, with no clear resolution in sight. While PUDA officials argue that streetlight repairs and sanitation fall under the MC’s jurisdiction, MC officials maintain that these responsibilities lie with PUDA.
Who cares
The stinking garbage and the sight of stray dogs roaming around are becoming unbearable. Streetlights have been out of order for over a year and despite repeated complaints, no one has come to address the issue. — Dinesh Sharma, Employee
The SCO owners, visitors and those working in the offices at the PUDA Complex have expressed resentment over the lack of action. “Rag-pickers often dispose of waste in vacant plots, turning the area into a public health hazard,” said an SCO owner.
“We have reported this issue multiple times, but nothing has been done. Encroachments by car dealers are also rampant and the defunct streetlights only make the matters worse,” the owner said.
Sharan Kaur, a visitor to the complex, echoed these concerns: “It’s shocking that despite the presence of prominent media offices and PUDA’s own headquarters in this complex, the authorities have turned a blind eye to the problem. If they can’t maintain one of the most visited areas, what hope is there for other parts of the city.”
Dinesh Sharma, an employee within the complex, highlighted the health risks posed by the waste, especially during the rains. “The stinking garbage and the sight of stray dogs roaming around is becoming unbearable. Streetlights have been out of order for over a year and despite complaints, no one has come to address the issue,” he said.
Mahesh Sharma, another SCO owner, said. “Anti-social elements are taking full advantage of the non-functional streetlights. Every day, we hear about new incidents of bike theft, especially during the late hours,” she said.
MC Commissioner Gautam Jain said he would direct the officials concerned to look into the matter.
Houses SCOs, Banks
The complex, which houses a number of shop-cum-offices (SCOs), banks, media houses and dining outlets, is grappling with poor sanitation. Rag-pickers often dispose of waste in vacant plots, turning the area into a public health hazard.
