Residents seek parity in development

The landscape of development in Amritsar is marred by glaring disparities. There are some MC wards where everything is up to the mark while in some wards, people are struggling for basic amenities. Ward number 4, lying around Lawrence Road, Ward number 64, Rai Ka Bagh, and Ward number 84 where Kabir Park is located, are some of the areas where the parks are well maintained, roads are neat and clean and the garbage is being lifted regularly. In contrast, the people of Inderpuri area in Ward number 66, Ram Nagar Colony in Ward number 67, Professors Colony in Ward number 8 are struggling for basic facilities such as clean potable water, paved streets, sewer, water, drainage and street lights. The roads, streets and parks in ward number 35 on the bypass road are also in pathetic condition.

A visit to localities such as Inderpuri, Professors Colony, Verka, Vallah and Kahnkot villages on the periphery of the city revealed a dismal picture. Many streets remain unpaved, leaving residents to navigate through dusty, uneven roads. The situation worsens during rainfall, as streets become flooded with overflowing sewage and rainwater, causing immense hardships to the residents.

However, residents of posh localities such as Ranjit Avenue in ward number 3 and Basant Avenue also complain about civic problems such as encroachments and cleanliness but the authorities make sure to provide them with clean water and address their sewer and other issues on priority basis. But in most of the localities, where people from weaker sections reside, no one from the civic body visits to hear their problems. This disparity raises questions about the effective utilisation of funds and the administration’s commitment to inclusive development.

Political experts revealed that public representatives, who get elected from posh localities, influence the decisions of the Municipal Corporation General House and officials of the administration. Meanwhile, the councillors elected from ordinary areas of the city are not properly heard by the General House and they have to struggle to get street lights installed in their area for all five years of their tenure.

Residents of these ignored and cornered wards are hopeful that their concerns will be addressed only if the municipal corporation reserves more funds for underdeveloped wards.