Poll promises ‘eyewash’, voters dejected
Visit any area and it speaks volumes of the condition of the ward, whether it is good or bad. The Tribune visited five wards of the city on the eve of the MC elections and found out that a lot needs to be done there. The correspondent spoke to a section of people and strangely, everyone expressed one thought, “We will cast our vote as it’s our right. But, the elections are not going to change anything. This we have learnt after all these years.”
Garbage everywhere
in Ward no. 23
Garbage, potholed roads, drug menace, sewerage problems and what not! The area always remains in the news because of wrong reasons. Residents of the Qazi Mandi area of the ward are so frustrated that they say ‘Kuch nai ho skda ethe’. Rakesh Kumar, who is living in Qazi Mandi said snatchings and drug menace are rampant in the area. He said he was worried for the future of his children. Surjit Singh, an elderly person from the area, said no one wants to work here. “Our relatives don’t come here. Even rickshaw pullers refuse to come to this area at night. Now you can conclude in what conditions we are living here,” an upset Surjit Singh said.
Ward no. 57 grapples with poor roads, dirty water
A part of Basti Danishmanda is in this ward. Danishmanda got its name because of the genius and intelligence of persons (referred to as Danishmands in Urdu) living here. Among them, a majority were Muslims. ‘Peeli Kothi’ is a landmark of Basti Danishmanda. Residents said Basti Danishmanda is known for this kothi and everyone who comes from outside surely goes to have a look at it. People said one of the families of the Danishmands used to live in the kothi and the bungalow was the last proof of their existence. The area grapples with water, sewerage and solid waste management and poor road issues. Ashwini Kumar, a resident of Shivpuri said, “Asi naukri nai mangde (we aren’t asking to give us jobs. We just want clean water and smooth roads. Is it an inappropriate demand?
Dog menace haunts
Ward no. 54 residents
It seems that piles of garbage, contaminated water and clogged roads during the monsoon are a common factor in every ward. In Katra Mohalla, the stray dog menace is another issue that haunts the residents. Kanta Devi, living in Katra Mohalla for 45 years, said she will not vote. She says, “Vote mangan vale 50 bande ne, te kamm karan vaala ek vi nai (There are so many people who come and seek votes, but none of them actually works). Our kids cannot go to school whenever it rains as the water gets accumulated here,” she said. Another resident Veena Rani said the water that we consume is not at all fit for drinking. “It smells. Do we deserve this? Why do we get such a treatment? I have decided I am not going to vote. The elections are just eyewash,” she said.
Ward no. 33 an exception
The Model Town area of the city is one of the posh ones. Unlike other wards, this ward is comparatively clean, parks are well-maintained and roads are smooth. Residents and shopkeepers say that the ward was definitely better placed compared to others. Several huge showrooms and shops, brands, restaurants and hotels are in the area. During a visit to the area, no overflowing of sewage was found. One of the most famous parks ‘Shivani Park’ is also situated in Model Town. A shop owner said, “The actual problem is traffic jam, otherwise everything is good. We really hope that things remain good,” he said.
Ward no. 35 also
stands out
This is also a clean ward in the city. When parks in other wards are in poor condition, parks here seem to be well maintained and even the roads leading to GTB Nagar, one of the lavish areas of the ward, are free of potholes. Manish, a businessman from the area, said, “I was earlier living in Preet Nagar and when we shifted here three years ago, it felt that we had come to a different city altogether. It’s clean. Even water is clean and potable, there is no issue of waterlogging as well,” he said.
