Buddha Dariya being cleaned, but silt left to clutter banks

Ludhiana: Even as the MC continues to claim progress in the rejuvenation of Buddha Dariya, large mounds of silt and waste removed from the drain remain unattended along its banks.While cleaning work is underway at several stretches, the civic body has not been lifting the extracted waste material, leading to heaps of silt accumulating on both sides of the drain at different points. At some locations, the silt has dried up, and winds are carrying it into the air, causing fresh environmental concerns. Officials, however, maintain that their immediate focus is on cleaning the drain and that lifting the waste material will begin subsequently.Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha member Balbir Singh Seechewal, who has been overseeing the drain's cleaning for more than a year, also raised this issue with the authorities. He wrote a request letter to civic officials, urging them to ensure that the silt is lifted simultaneously with the cleaning process so that it does not re-enter the drain or pose health hazards. Seechewal said that while the drive initially focused on areas outside the city limits, it is now underway along the entire city stretch of the drain. He noted that machines are successfully extracting silt from inside, but the material is simply being dumped on the sides without removal, prompting him to write to the authorities again.Residents are also expressing frustration. Ishant Verma of Kundanpuri said it has become routine for the civic body to clear the drain internally while leaving the waste piled up along the banks, from where it eventually slips back into the water. He said that earlier, garbage and other waste were also routinely dumped on the sides, but now, as garbage inflow into the drain has reduced, silt has taken its place. Verma termed the situation a wastage of public money, pointing out that machines consume diesel for the cleaning operation, and the effort is futile if the removed waste is not lifted simultaneously.When contacted, MC superintending engineer Ekjot Singh acknowledged the issue but said that cleaning was currently being conducted at a fast pace. He added that lifting of the waste material had already begun and would be expedited further.Dhoka Mohalla Issue ContinuesCongress councillor Arun Sharma said the situation near Dhoka Mohalla remains unresolved. He claimed that due to ongoing bridge construction near the Madhopuri bridge, the water level in Buddha Dariya has not receded. As a result, the seasonal drain near the cremation ground continues to overflow into nearby areas. Sharma said black water has again started flowing onto the roads, worsening conditions for residents, while authorities have not addressed the problem.Chain link fencing damaged In another concern, chain link fencing installed under the Smart City Mission has fallen into the drain at several locations following heavy rain on Friday. Local sources said the fencing can now be seen submerged inside the water, yet officials have not taken note of the damage. MSID:: 127462727 413 |