Builders’ paradise, investors’ nightmare
Zirakpur cries for basic amenities
Rajiv Bhatia
Tribune News Service
Zirakpur, November 1
Zirakpur also known as builder’s paradise and a reasonable alternative for those who can’t afford a house in the relatively expensive tricity, the urban conglomerate is woefully lacking in infrastructure.
To cater to a population of about one lakh, there is inadequate water supply, insufficient government schools and poor health infrastructure.
A grand master plan for Zirakpur has remained only on papers. Ironically, the state government has focused its attention in obliging the builders lobby rather than setting up infrastructure. Zirakpur, due to its strategic location, out on both sides of the Chandigarh-Ambala and Panchkula- Patiala highways has seen prices of land touching the sky.
But when it comes to amenities, it leaves the residents gasping.
The unplanned growth, encroachments, building violations, congested roads, traffic jams, potholed roads, heaps of garbage, erratic power supply and inadequate water supply has made Zirakpur an investor’s nightmare.
The rapid growth of approved and unapproved residential colonies had created mess in the town.
Showing poor management and giving benefit to developers, the Municipal Council had failed to check the unplanned development of the town. Now, it would be difficult to develop the town according to an approved master plan.
BUS STAND: There is no bus stand in Zirakpur. In December last, the municipal council had planned to construct a modern AC bus stand on the Zirakpur-Panchkula intersection near Paras Down Town square. MC official said the land where the modern bus stand was proposed is owned by the PWD and the PIDB would construct the bus stand.
WATER: About 34 tubewells have so far been installed here in 15 wards and 13 new tubewells would be installed in next year to meet the demand of water supply. The town will also get a share of Kajauli water, as Punjab government has given its nod to the Kajauli water proposal for Mohali. According to sources, the total number of water connections in Zirakpur is 8,457 till August 31.
HOSPITALS: In absence of government hospitals in the town, residents have been forced to go to Chandigarh or Panchkula in case of an emergency. Residents rue that the town has big malls, marriage palaces and multi-storyed buildings, but the local authorities fail to provide health facilities. The local administration said the work of 30-bed hospital was in progress and would be operational soon.
ROADS: Many roads in the town are in a dilapidated condition. The Pabhat godown area roads are in a deplorable condition. Even the recently constructed flyover not solved the traffic problems here.
Officialspeak
For better infrastructure, the council has plans to strengthen roads. The work of laying of sewerage is mostly completed. The modern bus stand will be constructed by the PIDB near Zirakpur-Kalka intersection and planning was in process. Construction of 30-bed hospital is mostly completed. He claimed that soon the infrastructure of the town will be changed as per the master plan.
— MC president NK Sharma
SYNOPSIS
n Population: One lakh (approx)
n Area: 18 sq km
n Projected income from different sources: ` 23.60 crore (2010-2011)
n Housing projects: 70 existing and 13 up coming
n Water connections: 9,000
n Health: 3 ill-equipped dispensaries and seven sub-centres
n Public Transport: No public transport
3 comments:
Beside all above problems, The New Free Way is designed by some idiot. That idiot must be thrown out of India. As even a Kid can understand that PPL living around are also human-beings and they need to move around. That idiot created underpath just to harass. Almost all the underpaths are Gold Mines for Police and Petrol Mafia. I wish someone from the higher authority must look into the matter and arrange to rectify or create new underpaths as they should be. Else, one day PPL will create there own.
I m Proud of u
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