MC fails to fill pits inviting mishaps

Against the expectations of residents, the municipal corporation has still not filled the pits dug up by a telecom company on the back side of the bus stop on Jalandhar bypass, as they are openly inviting mishaps.

HT has reported this issue on May 4, but the civic body has not only failed to take action against the telecom company, which had dug up these pits, but also failed to fill these pits.

According to the nearby shopkeepers, incidents of people falling into these pits, especially during night time are being reported. The shopkeepers said one of the MC officials had a narrow escape, when he was about to fall into one of the pits, recently.

Now, the city-based NGO, Samaj Sewa Society has demanded the MC to pay attention towards the open pits dug up by the telecom companies.

NGO president Ramesh Srivastav said, “There are three pits that are openly inviting mishaps in the area. Recently some people have also fallen into these pits, but the authorities concerned have failed to take action. The action should also be taken against the telecom company, which is responsible for this.”

A visit to the bus stop of Jalandhar bypass revealed that the visitors were facing harassment. Even the bus staff claimed to have complained about it, but MC is not paying heed towards the issue.

A private bus employee said, “The officials concerned should visit the area at night, and see that these pit holes are right behind the bus stop where there is no availability of light due to which the incidents occur. Recently, a woman with her child fell into this pit.”

According to shopkeepers, a telecom company had dug up the road in three places to install wires around, two months ago, but the pits were not filled by them.

A fruit seller, who runs a fruit cart behind bus stop, said, “Many people take buses from this bus stop every day. During day they easily avoid the pits, but they face difficulties during night. Daily passengers know about the pits, but other passengers, who don’t know about pits remain under risk at night.”

Earlier, MC executive engineer Parveen Singla had assured that they would take required action to fill up the holes. He had also claimed that they would also check whether the company concerned took permission to dig up the road.

However, when contacted, Singla on Thursday, claimed that he would check why the action was not taken? He then advised the reporter to talk to the subdivisional officer concerned.

According to the shopkeepers, this area falls under ward number 25 from where deputy mayor RD Sharma is councillor. When contacted, Sharma said that he would inspect the area and then required action would be taken.