Harshraj Singh Tribune News Service Ludhiana March 9 The Municipal Corporation Ludhiana has failed to resolve the problem of overflowing sewers at New Durga Colony and Jagdish Colony in Ward No. 28. The Swachh Survekshan-2021 is underway but nothing has been done to ensure cleanliness in these areas. The sewage is getting accumulated in streets and vacant plots in these areas due to apathy of the civic body authorities. Ram Chandar a senior citizen who loads and unloads articles on his cycle-cart to generate income said he is forced to pass through accumulated sewage in streets of New Durga Colony in routine as the government authorities dont take any action to provide a sigh of relief to the people. He was forced to lift his pant up to knees while passing through accumulated sewage in the street to avoid stains. “The people are falling ill here due to accumulated stinking water for past three years. Like me there are many other Rehri wale who pass through this stretch in routine as there is no other way. Nobody hears our voice” he added. The residents told that dengue typhoid stomach-related infections and other health problems were common in these areas. Khem Chand another resident of New Durga Colony said “A resident has lost life due to typhoid recently. Now summers are arriving and mosquitoes will breed on stagnant water. The government should direct the authorities to pay attention towards our area and the sewer system should be made properly functional.” He further said “Two-wheeler riders commonly slip in streets flooded with sewage. Many times children too fall into stagnant water. None of our relatives would like to visit here. They advise to go back to village. ” The situation is similar in adjoining Jagdish Colony wherein a team of the health department in 2019 had found Culex mosquitoes larvae which can spread Japanese encephalitis (an infection of the brain) and West Nile Virus in stagnant sewer water. A resident of Jagdish Colony said “After taking bath I am out from home but I passed through the sewage water. Now I will wash my legs and feet. The skin infection cases are common here. We are forced to suffer due to unlivable and extremely bad conditions for past 3-4 years but the government has failed to pay any attention. No government authority is hearing us. The officials should come here and walk with us through accumulated sewage once to realise the pain we bear.” Meanwhile the residents of Dhandari Khurd village have been complaining about overflowing sewers in the streets. “Despite our repeated complaints the problem is not being resolved” the residents said. Ward Councillor Paramjeet Singh could not be contacted for a comment. MCs Superintending Engineer Rajinder Singh claimed “A work for installation of new sewer line is underway at Jagdish Colony. Once the work will is completed the problem of overflowing sewers in Jagdish Colony will get resolved.” He further claimed that the sewer lines of New Durga Colony will be cleaned with super suction machines.

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