Kapurthala Urban Estate Welfare society, residents repair roads, take to patrolling after ‘lack of action’ by authorities

Reacting to the negligence of the authorities, Anuj Anand, advocate and president of Urban Estate Welfare Society, Kapurthala, asserted that “the public should not have to handle these problems. Despite raising these issues with the Jalandhar Development Authority (JDA) and even Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the progress has been slow or negligible.”

Highlighting that the welfare society — which has already arranged cement and other material to repair a road patch — will continue to do such work, with the assistance of donors, Anand said: “I am proud that the residents have taken up these issues, but the authorities need to do their part too. I will continue to advocate for repairing and maintaining of roads, boundary walls, and public spaces.”

The road connecting Urban Estate with Seed Farm Colony and the District Administrative Complex, a crucial link for heavy traffic, have been riddled with potholes and scattered gravel, they alleged. These tasks are aimed at a safer and cleaner environment.

Voicing his frustration over the lack of action from the authorities, Dinkar Sangar, a resident, said: “We had paid all the development charges to get a plot in this locality, but today, we are forced to tread life-hazardous roads.”

Additionally, the residents also face an alarming stray dog menace — amidst their high population. Dogs chasing vehicles, coupled with unsafe road conditions, make it even worse for residents to travel. “Dogs often chase two-wheelers, making it almost impossible to avoid the potholes,” Hardeep Singh Kang, another resident, alleged.

The increasing number of stray dog attacks made it unsafe for children and the elderly to even visit nearby markets, claimed the residents, who have also been organising casual patrolling to keep the situation in check and ensure safety across the area.

Furthermore, neglected and unkempt, partially constructed, and abandoned properties plots have raised security concerns in the colony.

Expressing dissatisfaction with lack of action by the authorities, Nirmal Singh, a commuter, said that these places do not only make the area look shabby, but also pose security risks.

Also, the locality lacks a proper secure sports facility for the children.