Illegal colonies, water crisis, poor roadwork rock MC’s house meet

Ludhiana: The issues of illegal colonies, water scarcity and shoddy roadwork dominated municipal corporation’s general house meeting at Guru Nanak Bhawan on Wednesday. As the councillors demanded immediate action, mayor Balkar Sandhu and MC commissioner Pardeep Sabharwal directed the officials to remove illegal colonies at the earliest.
BJP councillor Sonia Sharma said, “I have been raising the issue of illegal colonies in the ward for the past two years. I had first lodged a complaint on September 19, 2019, but to date no action has been taken. Water supply in the ward got affected as load on the amenities increased.”
Echoing her, Akali Dal councillor Jaspal Giaspura said, “Around 40 illegal colonies have mushroomed in wards 30 and 31, but building branch officials remained mum. There is one colony about which I have been complaining for the past two years. The officials did not act despite my submitting proofs. About 12 areas are worst affected by water scarcity in summer. I had also complained that the roads constructed recently in the ward were of poor quality and strict action should be taken against the erring officials and contractors.”
Congress councillor Baljinder Singh said for the past about eight months, a road in his ward has been under construction. He demanded that the contractor should be blacklisted immediately.
The mayor said in the coming days, development works worth Rs 250 crore to Rs 300 crore would start and all the councillors should act as watchdogs of MC and keep a check on quality of material. He said officials concerned have been asked to remove the illegal colonies immediately.
The MC commissioner said, “Illegal construction work or unlawful colonies will not be tolerated and strict action against lax officers will be taken. I have asked the officials to ensure water supply where there is scarcity. However, illegal water supply connections in the colonies will be severed as soon as possible.”