Poll code: Residents worried over fate of road repair works

The announcement of civic body elections in the state has left residents worried as road repair projects in several local colonies have been stalled.

Roads dug up for the canal-based surface water project had been awaiting repair and with the model code of conduct coming into force, the much-needed recarpeting has been delayed further.

The State Election Commission has announced that the polls to five municipal corporations, 44 municipal councils and various nagar panchayats will be held on December 21.

Residents also fear that when the poll code will be lifted post declaration of results, the foggy and cold weather conditions in late December and January will not be conducive for road repair work.

City residents have been grappling with potholed streets and dust-laden air caused by unfinished road work. Many of these roads were dug up over a year ago for laying water supply lines, but remain unrepaired.

Expressing his frustration, Gurpreet Singh, the owner of a grocery store in Ajit Nagar, said, “The roads have been in a deplorable state for over a year. Both Deputy Commissioner Preeti Yadav and local AAP MLA Ajitpal Singh Kohli promised new roads in Ajit Nagar, Hira Nagar, Brar Street, and Bank Colony. With the civic body elections having been announced, the repair work will be further delayed.”

Satish Kumar, a resident of Hira Nagar, described commuting through the area as nightmare. “The road from Hira Nagar to 22-Number Fatak is ridden with potholes. Dust in the air is unbearable, especially for the elderly, women, and children,” he said.

MC Commissioner Rajat Oberoi assured that the road works already underway would continue despite the elections. “The works that have been started will not stop. Similarly, recarpeting will proceed at the sites where the formal inauguration of projects has been done,” he said.

However, residents are skeptical. They said the civic body recently tried to control the flying dust by sprinkling water and spreading sand, a temporary fix they described as insufficient.