Basic amenities still a distant dream for them

Basic amenities are still a distant dream for residents of Gurusar Sudhar and New Abaddi Akalgarh.

They have been demanding safe water supply, proper sewage system, streetlights and well-constructed roads inside residential areas and to adjoining villages for quite a long time, but to no avail.

A visit to Gurusar Sudhar Bazaar and New Abaddi Akalgarh reveals that vacant plots are filled with garbage, open drains too are filled with refuse. According to locals, sewage comes out in streets during rains in New Abaddi Akalgarh.

“The government has made no provisions for drinking water supply at Gurusar Sudhar Bazaar. We are not allowed to install our own water pumps due to which we face a lot of problems. There is no arrangement of proper sewage system and public toilets in the market, Subash Garg, a shopkeeper said.

The situation is similar in residential areas adjoining the market and New Abaddi Akalgarh.
Ram Parsad, a resident said: “We pay electricity charges as per the rates in urban areas, but we have not been provided any such facilities.”

Another resident of New Abaddi Akalgarh, Sarabjit Singh said: “Drinking water supply, proper sewage system, well-constructed roads and streetlights are a distant dream for us. The condition of the area is so pitiable that people throw garbage on vacant plots as there is no arrangement of lifting garbage.”

“Risk of being infected remains high due to garbage dumps lying openly on vacant plots next to residential areas. The open drains also spread unhygienic conditions,” he added.

Rakesh Aggarwal, president of shopkeepers' welfare association, Gurusar Sudhar, said: “The condition of various link roads, which leads to nearby villages, including Pakhowal, Jassowal, Sahouli, Sarabha is pathetic and is filled with potholes. No development has ever taken place in our area.”

Gernail Singh Mullanpuri, sarpanch of New Abaddi Akalgarh, which also covers some part of Gurusar Sudhar Bazaar said: “All panchayat members want development in the area, but still we have not received funds. Our area comes under Fathegarh Sahib Lok Sabha constituency. I have met member of Parliament Sukhdev Singh Libra and demanded grants to carry out development works.”

“Also we don't have any provision of sewage system. I know residents are demanding drinking water supply to homes. Non-availability of garbage lifting in the area is another big issue. We need funds,” he added.

Gurcharan Singh Boparai, MLA Raikot, said: “I had demanded funds for development works in the areas, including New Abaddi Akalgarh, but the state government has not provided the same.”