Waterlogging at Chandan Nagar RUB, Ikehri Pulli hassles commuters

Avneet Kaur

Jalandhar, July 14

Residents of various localities in the Sodal area under the banner of the Bharatiya Sarvahit Parishad have raised the alarm over severe waterlogging at key points in their neighbourhoods. In a letter addressed to Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and other officers, the residents highlighted the persistent waterlogging issues at Chandan Nagar railway underbridge (RUB), Ikehri Pulli and Gazigulla.

Will meet CM

With Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann now promised to stay in Jalandhar for two days a week even after the byeletion , we have decided to take up this matter to ensure that the waterlogging at these important junctions, which causes significant commuting problems, is addressed on a priority basis. Sodal area residents

They said despite the repeated complaints to the Municipal Corporation (MC), the problems remain unresolved.

Rajan Sharda, president of the Bharatiya Sarvahit Parishad, said he met the MC Commissioner on July 5 to discuss the issue on behalf of the affected residents, but all in vain. Sharda explained that the accumulated rainwater at the Chandan Nagar RUB had been causing commuting problems for hundreds of residents. He said during the recent rain, the area experienced heavy flooding, affecting commuting for two days.

“The public was harassed as this is the main road connecting both parts of the city,” he said.

The residents also pointed out that two water storage tanks, each with a capacity of one lakh litre, were installed to drain out water accumulated at the Chandan Nagar RUB. However, due to the negligence by the MC and the sewerage department, the tanks were filled with sand and garbage and were not being utilised for their intended purpose.

They said BJP leader and former CPS KD Bhandari had met MC officials for cleaning the tankers before the onset of the monsoon. However, the officials allegedly refused to address the issue, citing their engagement on the Jalandhar West bypoll work.

The situation is equally dire at the Ikehri Pulli underpass and in Mohalla Gazigulla where waterlogging has made life miserable for residents. No action has been taken to address these issues, claim Suraj Prajapati, a resident.

“With the CM now promised to be in Jalandhar for two days a week, we have decided to take up this matter to ensure that the waterlogging at these important junctions, which causes significant commuting problems, is addressed on a priority basis,” the residents added.