Farmers Movement Archive

Qazi Mandi entry point a path of eternal waste

Tribune News ServiceJalandhar, October 31A road of eternal waste, locals say they never saw the Qazi Mandi entry road in proper condition.The road from Domoria Bridge to Qazi Mandi is riddled with waste, garbage, potholes and encroachments. While further up is the Madrasi Mohalla. Encroachments on both sides of the road, garbage piles, gates of huge godowns and establishments mark the road. Locals say the road has been in the same condition for almost as long as they can remember.Puran, a shopkeeperEver since I set up shop, I haven’t seen any repair work on the road. It is difficult to work as gravel spreads out on the road and dust as well as soil coming loose from the previous makeshift repair bids make it a living hell. Dust gathers in the entire shop.Puran, a shopkeeper, said: “It is difficult to work in the shop as gravel spread out on the road and dust as well as soil coming loose from the previous makeshift repair bids make the road a living hell. Dust gathers in the entire shop. On most days, children speeding on their bikes have a fall or two. Accidents are quite common. Since I am only a shopkeeper, I cannot complain about it either. But residents also face many troubles. Ever since I set up shop, I haven’t seen any repair work on the road.”Dr Bhajan Khepra, owner of a clinic Every time a road project has been discussed, the constructions or encroachments have posed trouble. On the other hand, railway tracks on the other side also add to the anti-social elements in the area. Dr Bhajan Khepra, who owns a clinic on the road, says: “Every time a road project has been discussed, the constructions or encroachments have posed trouble. The road which is the very entrance to the Qazi Mandi area is defaced. On the other hand, railway tracks on the other side also add to the anti-social elements in the area. The overbridge has made lives easier for those commuting in the city, but this area is further relegated underneath. This main road remains unattended to. There is talk of some development projects in the area. We hope we will see a much better stretch compared to this eyesore in the coming years.”While a 120-ft road to connect the Domoria overbridge to the Surya Enclave had been proposed for the area, it has hit repeated roadblocks. A dispute between the Improvement Trust and the Railways inordinately stalled the project. Residents said due to encroachments, there were talks of the road further shrinking than the initial proposal of 120 feet. Notably, the Domoria Overbridge also came up with inordinate delays. For a considerable time, the bridge’s two overhead spans remained unconnected – delaying its use by years.Already notorious, the Qazi Mandi road with factories, godowns and some semi-slum settlements, is further relegated to a wasteland with a bridge going over it. Residents bank upon newer projects to give the area the final lease of development.

The Tribune

2020-11-01