Tardy pace of works ails grain hub

Mahesh Sharma

The slow pace of development works, including strengthening of sewerage system and revamping of streets, has irked residents of the constituency. Besides, the illegal distillery case, leaders’ disconnect with locals, discontent among some councillors, etc., are some of the issues that might impact the Assembly elections’ result here.

Like any other locality undergoing development, Khanna, too, has been facing problems related to civic amenities, including solid waste disposal and sewerage. A number of low-lying areas of Khanna city and rural localities have been bearing the brunt of waterlogging during monsoon. Lalheri Road, Sabzi Mandi, Grain Market area, Subhash Bazar, Main Bazar and Bank Colony are among the low-lying areas where residents are not happy with their representatives in the MC and the Assembly.

Maintenance of the flyover on the Ludhiana-Rajpura road does not fall under the jurisdiction of either the council or the Assembly. Inconvenience caused due to damage to the bridge is apprehended to negate achievements of MLA Gurkirat Singh Kotli. Khanna has received abundant grants and seen development. Many projects are in progress.

Past trend

In the past 50 years, the electorate has sent Congress and SAD nominees to the Assembly alternatively, except the last elections when Gurkirat Singh Kotli was re-elected. Kotli defeated AAP’s Anil Datt Phally by over 20,000 votes.

Electorate strength

Total voters 1,64,020
Male 86,464
Female 77,554
Third gender 2