Poor civic infra cause for concern among voters in Faridabad

Civic amenities have become a big issue as the election campaign hits feverish pitch in various Assembly segments. While complaints about the civic conditions have become common, the candidates have been pouring out assurances to woo them.

“Though the candidates of the ruling party have been claiming all-round development, including the improvement in civic infrastructure, the candidates belonging to Opposition parties, including the Congress and AAP, have been raking up the alleged pathetic condition of roads, sewerage, waste disposal and drinking water facilities,” says AK Gaur, a resident of Sector-85 here. He said the residents were still at the receiving end as they have been battling the problem of poor drainage and choked sewers in the city.

Akashdeep Patel, president, RPS Savana Residents Welfare Association, a society housing around 3,000 residents in Sector-88, has been among those who have taken up a drive to catch the attention of the candidates regarding the condition of roads and civic amenities through social media handles like X.

Tagging the CM, district administration and outgoing MLA, he recently posted a photo of a potholed road alleging carelessness on part of the authorities. “The issue is vital for our decision to elect the next MLA as we do not want anyone who fails to address these grievances,” he said.

“The civic conditions turn pathetic after every downpour due to poor drainage,” says Manoj Goyal of Mukesh Colony, Ballabgarh. He said the elections are an opportunity to test the credibility of candidates on such issues. Many colonies become victims of waterlogging after rain.

Shakil — hailing from Badkhal village falling in the civic limits — said that as residents had to pool their own resources to tackle the waterlogging menace recently, the residents were in a mood to punish those who have failed to attend to the problems so far. “As all the colonies falling in the Tigaon segment had been battling with poor amenities, we are getting a good response,” says Abhash Chandela, AAP candidate, who claims that water, sewerage and roads are a major issue in any urban area. Neeraj Sharma, Congress candidate from NIT segment, said that drinking water, drainage and sewerage had been among the main demands in the constituency.

“Two candidates had to face opposition from residents due to waterlogging and poor availability of drinking water recently,” says Vishnu Goel, a resident. He said the recent death of two persons in a waterlogged underpass near Old Faridabad has made the matter of civic amenities a burning issue for many.