The problem is on the inside

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 26

The residents of the inner lanes of Khandwala have had a long list of complaints and no one to provide solutions. Often sidelined as far as civic development is concerned, Khandwala is a major commercial hub for locals and nearby residents from Cherherta and GT road. But the internal roads connecting cluster of small colonies in Khandwala to GT road and Chheharta are every commuter’s nightmare.

The damaged patches on several internal roads, including the one leading from Khandwala, connecting the main market to Chheharta are the most vulnerable. For several years, the road has been ‘kutcha’ — the only carpeting was done years ago when the entire stretch of GT road was being paved for the BRTS project.

“The road has remained the same for many years, with no development or patch work done to fill potholes. There are shops on both sides of the road on the entire stretch and it is mostly taken by residents going towards Cheherta,” said Rajkumar, a shopkeeper in the main Khandwala market. He also alleged that the portion of road has been dug up for two years now. This shows the casual approach of the authorities towards the area, despite it being on GT Road stretch. “They had dug up internal roads for sewerage pipes but after laying the line, they did not return to take stock of the area,” he added.

The situation turns bad to worse whenever the showers hit the area. Many a time, these pits get filled with water and turn into puddles. At times, commuters fall into these puddles following accidents.

Other residents of the area, Gurpreet Singh and Bhajan Singh, said that most dwellers have learned to live with damaged roads as no action was being taken. “There was a time when everyday one of the residents used to go to the MC office to file a complaint and lack of civic development in the area,” said Bhajan.

The area falls under Ward No. 9 and 10.