Road linking 3 Malwa districts not metalled

Sameer Singh

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, September 29

The demand of the residents of Goniana block, Bathinda, to metal the 3 km dirt stretch (kutcha road) that connects three districts of Malwa region — Bathinda, Muktsar and Faridkot — has been lying pending for over a decade.

The stretch begins at Ganga Ablu Ki village, goes via Kothe Naiwala and meets at Ramiana village in Farodkot district. The metal road will benefit residents of more than 12 villages around the block, who have to travel extra every time they have to enter Bathinda city, as well as Faridkot and Muktsar districts.

“We have brought the matter into the notice of local MLAs and the government on numerous occasions, but not action has been taken,” said a panchayat member of Ganga Ablu Ki village.

Guradita Singh Brar, another resident, said, “If the government metals the road, it will save the time and money of residents of adjacent villages and commuters who travel between these districts daily.”

Another panchayat member said, “Ganga Ablu Ki village falls in the Bathinda Lok Sabha constituency represented by Harsimrat Kaur Badal (SAD) under the Vidhan Sabha constituency represented by Congress MLA Pritam Singh Kotbhai. Kothe Naiwale falls under Gidderbaha Vidhan Sabha constituency in Muktsar district represented by Amrinder Singh Raja Warring (Congress). Ramiana village falls in Faridkot district under the constituency of Congress MLA Baldev Singh. The location of the dirt stretch has kept away the representatives of the parties from getting the work done.”

Tek Singh, XEN, PWD (B&R), said, “Whenever, any MLA will bring up the proposal, the work to metal the road will be taken up on priority.”