Manmeet Singh Gill

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 9

In what could be termed as a preferential treatment ahead of the 2022 Assembly elections, interlocking tiles have been relaid on the existing pavement, in Ranjit Avenue D-block.

On the contrary, residents of many localities in the city have been waiting for their lanes to be paved. Certain areas, including Kot Khalsa, Haripura and Chehharta have been crying for attention. Numerous colonies, which have come up on the outskirts of the city, still have streets full of potholes.

Sahibjeet Singh, a resident of Malawali village, said, “Our village was included in the Amritsar Municipal Corporation around two decades ago. Ever since then, civic body has not recarpeted the road even once.” He said the Mandi Board had carpeted their village road in 1998 before inclusion into the MC.

Another resident Saurabh Sharma said, “Circular Road near Hall Bazaar is in very poor shape and two-wheelers often skid on pebbles. The authorities have moral, ethical and legal responsibility to ensure that all areas are developed at par.”

Giving preferential treatment to markets in posh areas is not a new phenomenon as the traders’ bodies at these places are in better position to exert pressure on politicians than ordinary shopkeepers in other bazaars.

Even during the SAD-BJP government, metalled parking surface of Nehru Shopping Complex, was covered with interlocking tiles.