Rajiv Bhatia
Tribune News Service
Zirakpur, November 1
Despite massive urbanisation followed by a heavy influx of population, Zirakpur Municipal Council (MC) has failed to put in place a sewerage treatment plant. As a result, 2.5 million gallons (approx) a day of sewage generated from the urban conglomerate is being discharged in Sukhna Choe.
The MC has already spent lakhs of rupees to lay sewerage network across Zirakpur. But in absence of the sewerage treatment plant, the untreated sewage is polluting Sukhna Choe. Sources say that MC had failed to handover the land to Punjab Sewerage Board to set up the Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP).
Recently, the Punjab Pollution Control Board had asked the MC to set up a sewerage treatment plant and set the deadline for its construction till March 2011. The board had also asked the MC that if they failed to meet the deadline it would have to pay Rs 2 lakh bank guarantee for an extension.
“The sewerage laying work is being carried out by Punjab Sewerage Department and around 85 per cent work has been completed. However, the council failed to hand over the land to the sewerage board for setting up the STP and till now the water is being released into Sukhna Choe,” said an official of the sewerage department.
MC sources said a case regarding the land in Singhpura village for the plant was pending in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The pollution control board had asked the MC to finalise another land to set up the plant till March 2011, sources added.
According to the sewerage board official, the work of sewerage laying was in progress and would be completed by year end. The department had started the installation work of the Main Pumping Station (MPS) at Singhpura village where the STP is likely to be set up. The official said the pumping station would only help to extract the untreated water and would further dispose it in Ghaggar.
Official sources informed that the cost of sewerage project under the Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT) was ` 52.19 crore and a grant of ` 18 crore (approx) has been sanctioned for the sewerage treatment plant (STP) by the Central government and the state government under the Urban Infrastructure and development of Small and Medium Town (UIDSMT) scheme.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Builders’ paradise, investors’ nightmare
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
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
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
‘VIP’ violators headache for traffic cops
Rajiv Bhatia
Challans issued in June
* 64 persons for not wearing headgears
* 42 challans for wrong parking
* 26 challans for overloading vehicles
Zirakpur, July 1
Policemen have become helpless, as the motorists with a ‘VIP link’ do not follow traffic rules. In Zirakpur, the traffic police’s campaign of challaning violators has failed despite the 222 challans issued in a month. The traffic violation continues to go unabated in the region.
According to sources, the challans include wrong entry, helmet-less rides, triple ridding, leaving vehicles in the “no parking” zones, driving without wearing seat belts, drunken driven and driving without documents.
“There is no denying the fact that violation of traffic rules is rampant in the town. Driving without helmets tops the chart of traffic rules violations along with wrong parking. However, we are continuously trying to check the violations by laying check points and deploying policemen at various points”, a senior police official said.
Giving details of the challans from June 3 to June 29, sources in the traffic police said about 222 persons were challaned for not wearing headgears, 42 challans were issued for wrong parking and 26 challans were issued for overloading vehicles. Other miscellaneous violations included not using of seat-belts, triple riding, using pressure horns, blue beacon and using ‘press’ stickers without permission. Use of pressure horn, black filming, besides drunken driving and driving without documents also led to issuance of challans, the sources added.
A cop on the condition of anonymity said even before they could issue a challan, the erring driver would ring up their ‘top links’ and try to pressurise them.
DSP (Traffic) GS Mann stated that no violator would be spared regardless of his status or link. He said the traffic police would establish more checkpoints to curb the menace of rash and negligent driving.
Cake walk
Rajiv Bhatia
Residents of Zirakpur now don't have to go Chandigarh for savouring soup or even dim sums. This satellite city is now offering on platter delicious dishes like corn cake, tom yum soup and dim sum.
Hotel Shagun-Zirakpur is proud to present its newly renovated restaurant Vyanjan-a fine multi-cuisine dining restaurant and bar centrally located on Zirakpur-Kalka highway.
Vyanjan means a condiment or a seasoned article in Sankrit.
"Traditional and the unique style of preparing those dishes using a variety of natural ingredients, colours, taste, textures smells is Vyanjan's specialty," says Pradeep Aggarwal, managing director of the newly opened restaurant.
Pradeep Aggarwal, who had done a hotel management course from Chandigarh, says, "Our aim is to provide different kind food that would attract customers." Besides the traditional Indian food, the menu also includes Thai curries, tandoori kebabs, Oriental and Chinese food," Aggarwal added.
He adds, "In appetizer, a special corn cake and dim sum is in main menu. From soups bowl, Tom Yum soup which has been made with Chinese cabbage, broccoli, poches, mushroom, lemon grass and lemon leaves, high ginger is really a fiery. "We are offering verities of dishes like Tiranga kofta, diwani handi and Lackhnavi murg biryani to customers," he adds.
He sums, for non-vegetarians chicken Taipai, murg akbari and Hyderabaddi dam ki biryani are other yummy dishes which remind you flavour of different countries.
Polythene bags to be banned in Chhatbir Zoo
Rajiv Bhatia
Zirakpur (Chhatbir), July 12
Chhatbir Zoo authorities today launched a cleanliness drive at the zoo and decided to conduct such a drive on every Monday. The zoo authorities are also planning to check and ban the use of polythene bags by visitors. The drive was conducted under the guidance of newly appointed Field Director Churchil Kumar.
Giving the information about the drive, he said, the department had decided to conduct cleanliness drive on every Monday as the zoo was closed for general public on that day. It will be easier for the employees to carry out the drive in a proper manner, he said. Around four to five tractor-trolleys of garbage were removed today.
Kumar stated that he had given instructions to the zoo employees to take precautionary measures, so that all animals remained healthy during the monsoon season. He said he had also given instructions to the doctors to start de-worming the animals. “We have also decided to set up drinking water purifier for animals, which be installed shortly”, he added.
Zirakpur (Chhatbir), July 12
Chhatbir Zoo authorities today launched a cleanliness drive at the zoo and decided to conduct such a drive on every Monday. The zoo authorities are also planning to check and ban the use of polythene bags by visitors. The drive was conducted under the guidance of newly appointed Field Director Churchil Kumar.
Giving the information about the drive, he said, the department had decided to conduct cleanliness drive on every Monday as the zoo was closed for general public on that day. It will be easier for the employees to carry out the drive in a proper manner, he said. Around four to five tractor-trolleys of garbage were removed today.
Kumar stated that he had given instructions to the zoo employees to take precautionary measures, so that all animals remained healthy during the monsoon season. He said he had also given instructions to the doctors to start de-worming the animals. “We have also decided to set up drinking water purifier for animals, which be installed shortly”, he added.
Now, water becoming scarce in Zirakpur
Rajiv Bhatia
Zirakpur, July 12
The water supply in Zirakpur is being affected due to long power cuts as only 10 out of 31 tubewells have generators while others run on power supply.
Residents claimed that when the power supply was disrupted, the water supply, too, was affected. The residents were forced to call private tankers to meet their needs. They demanded that the council should install generators on other tubewells as well.
They stated that most of the tubewells were not working properly as the water level had gone down. They said the MC had planned to setup eight new generators for the tubewells but nothing had been done so far.
They also alleged that tubewell operators were working on the orders of councillors and politicians. Last month, a high drama was witnessed when the key of a tubewell room was taken away by the councillor’s husband and residents of another ward had protested outside her house.
SDO, water supply, Mahesh Chawla, stated that 31 tubewells had been installed in 15 wards.
Colonies where generators have been installed are Preet Colony, Bishanpura, Balaji Enclave, Dusherra ground, Preet Colony stadium side, Kalgidhar Enclave, Govind Vihar, Saini Vihar Phase 2 and 3; AKS colony, Lohgarh, and Dhakoli near the hospital.
Kamal Khurana, a resident of Baltana, said since a single tubewell was supplying water to four to five residential colonies, the water pressure was very low.
MC president NK Sharma stated that the council had been planning to install generators on the tubewells where need be. “We have also planned to install new tubewells in the town to solve water crisis”, he claimed. However, GAMADA will also install 10 tubewells in the town soon, he added.
Zirakpur, July 12
The water supply in Zirakpur is being affected due to long power cuts as only 10 out of 31 tubewells have generators while others run on power supply.
Residents claimed that when the power supply was disrupted, the water supply, too, was affected. The residents were forced to call private tankers to meet their needs. They demanded that the council should install generators on other tubewells as well.
They stated that most of the tubewells were not working properly as the water level had gone down. They said the MC had planned to setup eight new generators for the tubewells but nothing had been done so far.
They also alleged that tubewell operators were working on the orders of councillors and politicians. Last month, a high drama was witnessed when the key of a tubewell room was taken away by the councillor’s husband and residents of another ward had protested outside her house.
SDO, water supply, Mahesh Chawla, stated that 31 tubewells had been installed in 15 wards.
Colonies where generators have been installed are Preet Colony, Bishanpura, Balaji Enclave, Dusherra ground, Preet Colony stadium side, Kalgidhar Enclave, Govind Vihar, Saini Vihar Phase 2 and 3; AKS colony, Lohgarh, and Dhakoli near the hospital.
Kamal Khurana, a resident of Baltana, said since a single tubewell was supplying water to four to five residential colonies, the water pressure was very low.
MC president NK Sharma stated that the council had been planning to install generators on the tubewells where need be. “We have also planned to install new tubewells in the town to solve water crisis”, he claimed. However, GAMADA will also install 10 tubewells in the town soon, he added.
Zirakpur MC to spend Rs 40 lakh on drainage system
Rajiv Bhatia
Zirakpur, July 9
The Zirakpur Municipal Council has planned to spend Rs 40 lakh on the drainage system to remove waterlogging problem in Baltana, Zirakpur and the surrounding areas. The proposal has been mooted after the waterlogging problem faced by residential colonies in the recent rains. The project will be completed in three months.
MC president Narinder Kumar Sharma along with other councillors chaired the meeting. He said the council has set up a plan to construct an open drain between Vikas Nagar to link road on the Zirakpur-Kalka National Highway; similarly another open drain would be constructed between Wadhawa Nagar and Panchkula road.
However, the council authorities have blamed Panchkula residents for water logging in residential colonies near to Panchkula. They alleged that during the recent rains the seasonal choe at Panchkula was choked, as a result, the water overflowed and entered the residential colonies at Bharat Enclave, Vikas Nagar and Wadhawa Nagar. Taking the matter seriously, they have asked GAMADA officials to discuss this issue with Panchkula authorities.
He said many residential colonies are in the low-lying area, which is leading to water logging problem.
“We have decided to spend Rs 40 lakh on the drainage system to remove waterlogging, the project will be completed in three months,” he said. He said a request has been sent to GMADA to take up this issue. During the recent rains many residential colonies had faced flood-like situation after water entered their houses.
Zirakpur, July 9
The Zirakpur Municipal Council has planned to spend Rs 40 lakh on the drainage system to remove waterlogging problem in Baltana, Zirakpur and the surrounding areas. The proposal has been mooted after the waterlogging problem faced by residential colonies in the recent rains. The project will be completed in three months.
MC president Narinder Kumar Sharma along with other councillors chaired the meeting. He said the council has set up a plan to construct an open drain between Vikas Nagar to link road on the Zirakpur-Kalka National Highway; similarly another open drain would be constructed between Wadhawa Nagar and Panchkula road.
However, the council authorities have blamed Panchkula residents for water logging in residential colonies near to Panchkula. They alleged that during the recent rains the seasonal choe at Panchkula was choked, as a result, the water overflowed and entered the residential colonies at Bharat Enclave, Vikas Nagar and Wadhawa Nagar. Taking the matter seriously, they have asked GAMADA officials to discuss this issue with Panchkula authorities.
He said many residential colonies are in the low-lying area, which is leading to water logging problem.
“We have decided to spend Rs 40 lakh on the drainage system to remove waterlogging, the project will be completed in three months,” he said. He said a request has been sent to GMADA to take up this issue. During the recent rains many residential colonies had faced flood-like situation after water entered their houses.
Service roads to decongest highway
Rajiv Bhatia
Zirakpur, July 14
To solve the ever-increasing problem of traffic congestion on the busy Chandigarh-Ambala highway at Zirakpur, the PWD department of central works division has decided to construct service roads on either side of the stretch between the UT barrier and the starting point of the flyover.
Besides, the PWD officials have also planned to lay down proper drainage lines along the highway.
According to officials of the PWD, this project would be completed in six months at an estimated budget of Rs 4 crore. The department has already floated the tenders that would be open on July 23.
A flyover had been constructed on the Chandigarh-Ambala highway more than a year back to facilitate safer and faster road journey for the commuters.
XEN PWD (Central Work Division, Ropar) Karnail Singh stated that the project has been approved by the Central government. The paper work has been completed and the department concerned has been asked to submit their cost estimates. The department has already written to the forest department for removing the trees on either side of the highway.
“We have also deposited the money to the electricity department to shift the power lines and polls, wherever they come in the track of the service roads,” Karnail Singh added.
He said the drainage work would also begin along with other work. The drainage lines from the UT barrier to the flyover would be connected to Sukna choe drains.
Karnail Singh stated that the encroachments along the highways would be removed soon. After the completion of the project, the roads would be re-carpeted again and all illegal medians on the stretch would be closed down with iron grills. He said the problem of sales tax barrier where trucks were parked along the highway would be partially solved after the completion of the service roads.
“Tenders for the project have been floated and the work on service roads and drainage lines would be started in the first week of August,” he added.
Sales tax barrier problem
Commuters on the Chandigarh-Zirakpur highway face traffic jam and bottlenecks at the sales tax barrier, especially during the office hours in morning and evening. They demanded that the sales tax barrier should be shifted immediately to some other open place
Zirakpur to have slaughterhouse
Rajiv Bhatia
Zirakpur, June 17
The Zirakpur Municipal Council is planning to set up a slaughterhouse at Gazipur village to maintain hygiene in shops selling meat.The issue of setting up a slaughterhouse is likely to be discussed in MC meeting, scheduled to be held on Friday. The proposal has been mooted after the Zirakpur MC realised that meat was being sold without verification from veterinarians. Moreover, the animals were being slaughtered in shops leading to mess and the possibility of spread of an infection.
MC sources said they had been receiving complaints from area residents regarding animals being slaughtered in almost all meat shops. They rued that the animals were not being slaughtered scientifically leading to unhygienic conditions.
Sources said the MC had identified a two-acre land at Gazipur village. A detailed report has been prepared and sent for approval. The total cost of the slaughterhouse would be finalised after the approval. It is expected to be ready by the year-end, sources added.
Sources said as the council does not have the technical expertise, a consultant will be appointed to work out the specifications and the tender document.
Ankit Sharma, a resident of Zirakpur said, “It is a serious matter as the waste meat products are not properly disposed of. The sellers slaughter the animals in their shops and dispose of the remnants into the surrounding drains.”
When contacted, MC president Narinder Kumar Sharma said: “The issue of setting up a slaughterhouse will be discussed in coming MC meeting and the site would be finalised after the councillors’ approval,” he added.
Dumping ground
After an objection by the pollution control board on the dumping ground site, the MC has planned to identify a suitable site on the outskirts of the town. An MC official said that in terms and condition, the dumping ground should be set up at a distance of 2 km from the town
Sewerage treatment plant
The Punjab Pollution Control Board has asked the MC to set up a sewerage treatment plant till March 2011. MC officials said the case regarding the land for the plant was in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The pollution control board had asked to finalise another land to set up the plant till March 2011. The board has said that if the MC fails to meet the deadline it would have to pay Rs 2 lakh bank guarantee for an extension
Zirakpur, June 17
The Zirakpur Municipal Council is planning to set up a slaughterhouse at Gazipur village to maintain hygiene in shops selling meat.The issue of setting up a slaughterhouse is likely to be discussed in MC meeting, scheduled to be held on Friday. The proposal has been mooted after the Zirakpur MC realised that meat was being sold without verification from veterinarians. Moreover, the animals were being slaughtered in shops leading to mess and the possibility of spread of an infection.
MC sources said they had been receiving complaints from area residents regarding animals being slaughtered in almost all meat shops. They rued that the animals were not being slaughtered scientifically leading to unhygienic conditions.
Sources said the MC had identified a two-acre land at Gazipur village. A detailed report has been prepared and sent for approval. The total cost of the slaughterhouse would be finalised after the approval. It is expected to be ready by the year-end, sources added.
Sources said as the council does not have the technical expertise, a consultant will be appointed to work out the specifications and the tender document.
Ankit Sharma, a resident of Zirakpur said, “It is a serious matter as the waste meat products are not properly disposed of. The sellers slaughter the animals in their shops and dispose of the remnants into the surrounding drains.”
When contacted, MC president Narinder Kumar Sharma said: “The issue of setting up a slaughterhouse will be discussed in coming MC meeting and the site would be finalised after the councillors’ approval,” he added.
Dumping ground
After an objection by the pollution control board on the dumping ground site, the MC has planned to identify a suitable site on the outskirts of the town. An MC official said that in terms and condition, the dumping ground should be set up at a distance of 2 km from the town
Sewerage treatment plant
The Punjab Pollution Control Board has asked the MC to set up a sewerage treatment plant till March 2011. MC officials said the case regarding the land for the plant was in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The pollution control board had asked to finalise another land to set up the plant till March 2011. The board has said that if the MC fails to meet the deadline it would have to pay Rs 2 lakh bank guarantee for an extension
Admn fails to remove trucks, rehris parked on highway
Rajiv Bhatia
Zirakpur, June 11
It seems that the local administration is waiting for a major tragedy to happen on the national highway as trucks and other vehicles parked along the Chandigarh-Ambala highway and Zirakpur-Kalka highway throughout the day are posing a serious threat to the lives of thousands of commuters.
Residents complained that trucks carrying goods from far-flung areas towards various godowns of multinational companies remained parked along the highway, hampering flow of traffic on the highway and many times leading to serious mishaps on this stretch.
Residents rue that the traffic police had failed to remove the trucks from the highway. They had submitted their complaints many times, but no concrete action has been taken so far.
A survey of the area revealed that trucks are normally parked on both sides of the highway everyday. Even traffic movement at the entrance of Zirakpur has been affected as trucks are parked in a haphazard manner on the highway. Adding in the woes, fruit and vegetable vendors also park their rehris on the roadside on the highway.
“Everyday we have traffic jams on this stretch as these trucks blocked a huge part of the road. It is quite frustrating, especially during summers,” said Shikha Sharma, a student of a private college.
DSP (traffic) Darshan Singh Mann said he would ask the Zirakpur traffic in charge, Devinder Singh, to remove and challan the trucks that were parked on the highway.
Youth dies as scooter hits truck
Vishal Batta (22), a resident of Baltana, died after the two-wheeler he was riding hit a stationary truck on the Landran road. The police stated that Batta was returning from a private college at Landran, where he had gone to enquire about the admission process. The police has registered a case against the truck driver on the complaint of the deceased’s father
Damaged road puts residents to inconvenience
Rajiv Bhatia
Zirakpur, June 9
The apathetic attitude of the MC authorities towards the maintenance of roads has put thousands of commuters to inconvenience.
Those commuting on the Pabhat road are a harried lot, as the road is full of potholes.
Residents claim that they have asked the MC officials to re-carpet the road, but nothing needful has been done so far. They alleged that councillors-cum-property dealers unheeded their pleas and re-carpeted the road in front of their offices.
Residents rued that the road was in need of immediate repairs, but the authorities concerned seemed least concerned.
A survey of the area revealed that the road is narrow and full of potholes.
It is a busy stretch, as it connects the area to Mohali Phase XI and other villages.
“Water-logging during rainy season poses a threat to several lives,” said Narinder Singh, a resident of Pabhat village.
One of the shopkeepers said, “Water-logging affects our work badly. We have taken up the matter with the MC officials a number of times, but to no avail.”
Narinder Kumar Sharma, president, municipal council, Zirakpur, said the road would be repaired soon. Tenders have been floated for the same, he added.
Zirakpur, June 9
The apathetic attitude of the MC authorities towards the maintenance of roads has put thousands of commuters to inconvenience.
Those commuting on the Pabhat road are a harried lot, as the road is full of potholes.
Residents claim that they have asked the MC officials to re-carpet the road, but nothing needful has been done so far. They alleged that councillors-cum-property dealers unheeded their pleas and re-carpeted the road in front of their offices.
Residents rued that the road was in need of immediate repairs, but the authorities concerned seemed least concerned.
A survey of the area revealed that the road is narrow and full of potholes.
It is a busy stretch, as it connects the area to Mohali Phase XI and other villages.
“Water-logging during rainy season poses a threat to several lives,” said Narinder Singh, a resident of Pabhat village.
One of the shopkeepers said, “Water-logging affects our work badly. We have taken up the matter with the MC officials a number of times, but to no avail.”
Narinder Kumar Sharma, president, municipal council, Zirakpur, said the road would be repaired soon. Tenders have been floated for the same, he added.
Life derailed at Zirakpur
Rajiv Bhatia
Zirakpur, June 8
Incessant rain has derailed normal life of residents of Zirakpur and made the conditions miserable as large numbers of commuters were trapped in a traffic jam on the Zirakpur-Kalka highway and the Zirakpur-Patiala highway this morning. Two vehicles overturned near Dhillon factory chowk on the Chandigarh-Ambala highway here this morning.
Commuters were stranded for more than an hour at the Zirakpur-Kalka highway, as two trucks broke down near the railway crossing. The tires of the truck got stuck in a caved-in part of the road, blocking traffic for a long time.
A commuter, who was trapped in the jam, said there was no traffic cop present on the spot to tackle with the situation. Later, the Baltana police in-charge reached at the spot and got the trucks removed with cranes.
According to information, rainwater entered houses and shops in various areas. Goods worth lakhs of rupees were destroyed at a gift shop in Baltana by rainwater.
Zirakpur, June 8
Incessant rain has derailed normal life of residents of Zirakpur and made the conditions miserable as large numbers of commuters were trapped in a traffic jam on the Zirakpur-Kalka highway and the Zirakpur-Patiala highway this morning. Two vehicles overturned near Dhillon factory chowk on the Chandigarh-Ambala highway here this morning.
Commuters were stranded for more than an hour at the Zirakpur-Kalka highway, as two trucks broke down near the railway crossing. The tires of the truck got stuck in a caved-in part of the road, blocking traffic for a long time.
A commuter, who was trapped in the jam, said there was no traffic cop present on the spot to tackle with the situation. Later, the Baltana police in-charge reached at the spot and got the trucks removed with cranes.
According to information, rainwater entered houses and shops in various areas. Goods worth lakhs of rupees were destroyed at a gift shop in Baltana by rainwater.
Zirakpur sans fire station
Rajiv Bhatia
Zirakpur, April 28
It seems that authorities concerned have somehow ignored one of the very basic requirement of Zirakpur, which is considered a gateway to Punjab and is one of the most rapidly developing and expanding town in the whole Mohali district. Amidst a series of various plans and new projects one of the nearly two-year-old proposed project of establishing a fire station in Zirakpur is still struggling to see the light of day.
In the wake of the fact that Zirakpur has seen an overwhelming mushrooming of real estate business, multi-storied residential complexes, multiplexes, malls and marriage palaces and good increase in the population in the past few years, an independent and well-equipped fire station becomes a basic need, but surprisingly the authorities are least concerned about the safety of common man.
Sources in the MC revealed that in 2008, the Municipal Council had approved a resolution to set up a fire station in the town at a house meeting and sent the proposal for approval to the Local Bodies Department. But, this project is only on paper and nothing has been done hitherto. Sources said the council had decided to spend Rs 40 lakh for the fire station. The council had planned to buy one fire tender, two small fire engines and other fire safety equipments.
In case of blazing inferno, the fire tenders from Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula and Dera Bassi are summoned. In case of any emergency under such circumstances, firemen will certainly fail to reach the spot within the specified response time. However, since a long time Zirakpur residents have been demanding a fire station for the town. Nidhi Rana, a resident of Zirakpur says, “With the increase in residential colonies and multiplexes in the subdivision, the fire-fighting facilities are a necessity for the town”.
MC official claimed that the resolution for setting up a fire station in Zirakpur had been moved for the government approval two years back but did not get any reply. He said the fire station would be set up in the town shortly.
Zirakpur, April 28
It seems that authorities concerned have somehow ignored one of the very basic requirement of Zirakpur, which is considered a gateway to Punjab and is one of the most rapidly developing and expanding town in the whole Mohali district. Amidst a series of various plans and new projects one of the nearly two-year-old proposed project of establishing a fire station in Zirakpur is still struggling to see the light of day.
In the wake of the fact that Zirakpur has seen an overwhelming mushrooming of real estate business, multi-storied residential complexes, multiplexes, malls and marriage palaces and good increase in the population in the past few years, an independent and well-equipped fire station becomes a basic need, but surprisingly the authorities are least concerned about the safety of common man.
Sources in the MC revealed that in 2008, the Municipal Council had approved a resolution to set up a fire station in the town at a house meeting and sent the proposal for approval to the Local Bodies Department. But, this project is only on paper and nothing has been done hitherto. Sources said the council had decided to spend Rs 40 lakh for the fire station. The council had planned to buy one fire tender, two small fire engines and other fire safety equipments.
In case of blazing inferno, the fire tenders from Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula and Dera Bassi are summoned. In case of any emergency under such circumstances, firemen will certainly fail to reach the spot within the specified response time. However, since a long time Zirakpur residents have been demanding a fire station for the town. Nidhi Rana, a resident of Zirakpur says, “With the increase in residential colonies and multiplexes in the subdivision, the fire-fighting facilities are a necessity for the town”.
MC official claimed that the resolution for setting up a fire station in Zirakpur had been moved for the government approval two years back but did not get any reply. He said the fire station would be set up in the town shortly.
GMADA to instal 10 tubewells in Zirakpur
Water Woes
Parched residents have reason to cheer
GMADA to instal 10 tubewells in Zirakpur
Rajiv Bhatia
Zirakpur, April 22
Come June and residents at Zirakpur will experience a new summer, as the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) is all set to instal 10 new tubewells in different parts of the town to meet the increasing drinking water demand.
Zirakpur MC has also planned to setup eight new generators for the tubewells.
According to sources, the MC had requested GMADA to instal the tubewells, following which the latter approached the state government. After getting approval from the Punjab Chief Minister, tubewells would be instaled by GMADA at their own expense, the sources added.
The officials said 34 tubewells had been instaled here in 15 wards. The demand of water supply had been on the rise here, therefore to meet the demand the council approached GAMADA to instal the tubewells.
Ten new tubewells will be instaled at Baltana village, Shivalik Vihar, Dashmesh Colony, Pabhat, Anand Vihar, Krishna Enclave (Dhakoli), Highland Cooperative Society, Swami Enclave, Dhakoli, Preet Colony, Zirakpur, and in front of the Tribune Colony, Baltana.
The site for tubewells would be finalised after the visit by SDO water supply (GAMADA), SDO water supply and sewerage board (Zirakpur), along with Municipal Councillors concerned.
The officials also said the estimated cost of the project was Rs 3 crore and each tubewell would be 1,200 ft deep. A private company was to be appointed to setup the tubewells, for which tender would be called soon, they added.
Meanwhile power cuts seem to be the major concern of the MC officials. The council thus decided to instal the generators on eight tubewells and it would be passed at the next MC meeting.
Chairman of the district planning board and Zirakpur MC president NK Sharma said the decision was taken by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to provide relief to the residents during the summer season. He added that 10 new tubewells would be instaled by GMADA by two months. However, the MC would instal eight generators for the tubewells.
Meanwhile, irked over acute water shortage at Sham Vihar, Baltana from the past four days, women of the area today locked the tubewell room and raised slogan against the public health department for not taking proper action. They alleged that they had submitted their complaint several times, but all in vain. Also, residents of Vikas Nagar were also facing water crisis. They alleged that some residents had connected direct motors with water pipes. They had asked the department to take action, but they turned blind eye to the issue.
Parched residents have reason to cheer
GMADA to instal 10 tubewells in Zirakpur
Rajiv Bhatia
Zirakpur, April 22
Come June and residents at Zirakpur will experience a new summer, as the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) is all set to instal 10 new tubewells in different parts of the town to meet the increasing drinking water demand.
Zirakpur MC has also planned to setup eight new generators for the tubewells.
According to sources, the MC had requested GMADA to instal the tubewells, following which the latter approached the state government. After getting approval from the Punjab Chief Minister, tubewells would be instaled by GMADA at their own expense, the sources added.
The officials said 34 tubewells had been instaled here in 15 wards. The demand of water supply had been on the rise here, therefore to meet the demand the council approached GAMADA to instal the tubewells.
Ten new tubewells will be instaled at Baltana village, Shivalik Vihar, Dashmesh Colony, Pabhat, Anand Vihar, Krishna Enclave (Dhakoli), Highland Cooperative Society, Swami Enclave, Dhakoli, Preet Colony, Zirakpur, and in front of the Tribune Colony, Baltana.
The site for tubewells would be finalised after the visit by SDO water supply (GAMADA), SDO water supply and sewerage board (Zirakpur), along with Municipal Councillors concerned.
The officials also said the estimated cost of the project was Rs 3 crore and each tubewell would be 1,200 ft deep. A private company was to be appointed to setup the tubewells, for which tender would be called soon, they added.
Meanwhile power cuts seem to be the major concern of the MC officials. The council thus decided to instal the generators on eight tubewells and it would be passed at the next MC meeting.
Chairman of the district planning board and Zirakpur MC president NK Sharma said the decision was taken by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to provide relief to the residents during the summer season. He added that 10 new tubewells would be instaled by GMADA by two months. However, the MC would instal eight generators for the tubewells.
Meanwhile, irked over acute water shortage at Sham Vihar, Baltana from the past four days, women of the area today locked the tubewell room and raised slogan against the public health department for not taking proper action. They alleged that they had submitted their complaint several times, but all in vain. Also, residents of Vikas Nagar were also facing water crisis. They alleged that some residents had connected direct motors with water pipes. They had asked the department to take action, but they turned blind eye to the issue.
Zirakpur-Lalru a ‘killer stretch’ 27 lives lost in 3 months
Rajiv Bhatia
Zirakpur, April 18
Increasing number of road accidents on the Zirakpur- Lalru stretch and adjoining roads in the periphery, on this side of the City Beautiful, contradict tall claims by the Mohali police about an improved situation in road mishaps. Official figures reveal 27 deaths on the Zirakpur- Lalru stretch during the past three months. There have been more than 55 accidents during the corresponding period.
The Chandigarh-Ambala national highway has become a major cause of worry for the local administration. As even after the four-laning of this highway, there has been no respite from the increasing number of accidents on this stretch. According to official records, a sum of about Rs 298 crore was spent by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) on the four-laning of this 35-km long highway.
At several points village link roads open to the highway, which are accident prone. It is here that fast-moving traffic collides with vehicles coming from the link roads. Till now the NHAI has not provided any slow carriageway along the highway.
Police sources claim that everyday at least one or two accidents occur on the roads, especially on the Zirakpur-Patiala highway where minor accidents are routine affair. In Zirakpur, 22 accidents were reported in the last three months in which 10 persons were killed, including 8 men and 2 women.
Last year, 61 accidents were reported where 26 persons died, including 20 men, five women and one child. In 2008, around 48 accidents occurred in which 27 persons were killed and 21 were injured. In 2007, the police registered 45 accident cases in which 26 persons killed and 19 were injured. In 2006, the Zirakpur police registered 89 road accidents.
In Dera Bassi police station, 10 accidents were reported in the past three months, in which six persons were killed, including five men and one woman. Last year, 53 mishaps were reported in which 35 persons lost their lives. A total of 37 accident cases were reported in 2008, in which 22 persons were killed, including 21 men and one child.
As per the information provided by the Lalru police station, in the past three months 23 accidents had occurred in which 11 persons were killed while 12 were injured. Last year, 50 accidents were reported in which 30 persons were killed, including 28 men and two women. Around 104 persons were injured in road accidents.
Accident-prone areas
Police post at entrance of Zirakpur, near sales tax barrier; takeoff point of the Zirakpur flyover; a farmhouse at Singhpura, link road to Chatt village; Bhankarpur bridge; takeoff point of Dera Bassi flyover; and Chhat village bus stand on the Zirakpur-Patiala highway
Zirakpur, April 18
Increasing number of road accidents on the Zirakpur- Lalru stretch and adjoining roads in the periphery, on this side of the City Beautiful, contradict tall claims by the Mohali police about an improved situation in road mishaps. Official figures reveal 27 deaths on the Zirakpur- Lalru stretch during the past three months. There have been more than 55 accidents during the corresponding period.
The Chandigarh-Ambala national highway has become a major cause of worry for the local administration. As even after the four-laning of this highway, there has been no respite from the increasing number of accidents on this stretch. According to official records, a sum of about Rs 298 crore was spent by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) on the four-laning of this 35-km long highway.
At several points village link roads open to the highway, which are accident prone. It is here that fast-moving traffic collides with vehicles coming from the link roads. Till now the NHAI has not provided any slow carriageway along the highway.
Police sources claim that everyday at least one or two accidents occur on the roads, especially on the Zirakpur-Patiala highway where minor accidents are routine affair. In Zirakpur, 22 accidents were reported in the last three months in which 10 persons were killed, including 8 men and 2 women.
Last year, 61 accidents were reported where 26 persons died, including 20 men, five women and one child. In 2008, around 48 accidents occurred in which 27 persons were killed and 21 were injured. In 2007, the police registered 45 accident cases in which 26 persons killed and 19 were injured. In 2006, the Zirakpur police registered 89 road accidents.
In Dera Bassi police station, 10 accidents were reported in the past three months, in which six persons were killed, including five men and one woman. Last year, 53 mishaps were reported in which 35 persons lost their lives. A total of 37 accident cases were reported in 2008, in which 22 persons were killed, including 21 men and one child.
As per the information provided by the Lalru police station, in the past three months 23 accidents had occurred in which 11 persons were killed while 12 were injured. Last year, 50 accidents were reported in which 30 persons were killed, including 28 men and two women. Around 104 persons were injured in road accidents.
Accident-prone areas
Police post at entrance of Zirakpur, near sales tax barrier; takeoff point of the Zirakpur flyover; a farmhouse at Singhpura, link road to Chatt village; Bhankarpur bridge; takeoff point of Dera Bassi flyover; and Chhat village bus stand on the Zirakpur-Patiala highway
Snatching cases at Zirakpur on the rise
Rajiv Bhatia
Zirakpur, April 11
In the wake of sudden surge observed in the snatching cases, especially amongst the women, residents of Zirakpur are perturbed over the issue from the past few weeks. More than five snatching incidents have been reported in the past two days. However, no case has been registered by the local police. The proximity of Zirakpur town with Chandigarh and Haryana makes it convenient for the snatchers to run away in the neighbouring places in no time.
A majority of snatching incidents have taken place during afternoon and late evening hours when it is difficult to identify snatchers. Snatchers grab the victims from the back and snatch their chains, earrings and other ornaments and escape from the scene within seconds. They target women who pass through deserted areas.
In a recent incident, two bikers snatched a gold chain of three tolas from Elha Devi, a resident of Hem Vihar, Phase I. According to Elha Devi, the incident occurred around 3 pm on Friday when she was standing outside her house where two youths on their red-coloured motorcycle parked their bike near her.
In no time one of the youths attacked her and snatched her gold chain. Acting swiftly, Elha Devi caught the shirt of the youth, but the accused assaulted her and managed to flee from the spot.
She said that though one of the youths was wearing a helmet, she saw the face of another youth. “I will never forget his face and will recognise him if I see him anywhere in the area,” she added.
A similar incident occurred on Friday when two youths riding a motorcycle targeted another woman, Preetam Kaur in Nagla village. Sources revealed that two incidents of snatching occurred yesterday at Preet Colony, where the motorcycle-borne youths snatched a gold chain and an earring set within one hour. Last week two youths were nabbed by the local residents near a private school at Baltana when they were trying to snatch a chain of the schoolteacher, sources added.
According to police sources, most of the youths involved in the incidents of chain or purse snatching are drug addicts. They adopt different types of modus operandi -- either a youth snatches the purse or a chain in lonely places, or engages the victim in a conversation and commit the crime. However, SSP, Mohali, GS Bhullar claimed there was a downfall in crime activities at Zirakpur. Recently, the local police nabbed the snatchers and other anti-social elements who were involved in various criminal activities.
Zirakpur, April 11
In the wake of sudden surge observed in the snatching cases, especially amongst the women, residents of Zirakpur are perturbed over the issue from the past few weeks. More than five snatching incidents have been reported in the past two days. However, no case has been registered by the local police. The proximity of Zirakpur town with Chandigarh and Haryana makes it convenient for the snatchers to run away in the neighbouring places in no time.
A majority of snatching incidents have taken place during afternoon and late evening hours when it is difficult to identify snatchers. Snatchers grab the victims from the back and snatch their chains, earrings and other ornaments and escape from the scene within seconds. They target women who pass through deserted areas.
In a recent incident, two bikers snatched a gold chain of three tolas from Elha Devi, a resident of Hem Vihar, Phase I. According to Elha Devi, the incident occurred around 3 pm on Friday when she was standing outside her house where two youths on their red-coloured motorcycle parked their bike near her.
In no time one of the youths attacked her and snatched her gold chain. Acting swiftly, Elha Devi caught the shirt of the youth, but the accused assaulted her and managed to flee from the spot.
She said that though one of the youths was wearing a helmet, she saw the face of another youth. “I will never forget his face and will recognise him if I see him anywhere in the area,” she added.
A similar incident occurred on Friday when two youths riding a motorcycle targeted another woman, Preetam Kaur in Nagla village. Sources revealed that two incidents of snatching occurred yesterday at Preet Colony, where the motorcycle-borne youths snatched a gold chain and an earring set within one hour. Last week two youths were nabbed by the local residents near a private school at Baltana when they were trying to snatch a chain of the schoolteacher, sources added.
According to police sources, most of the youths involved in the incidents of chain or purse snatching are drug addicts. They adopt different types of modus operandi -- either a youth snatches the purse or a chain in lonely places, or engages the victim in a conversation and commit the crime. However, SSP, Mohali, GS Bhullar claimed there was a downfall in crime activities at Zirakpur. Recently, the local police nabbed the snatchers and other anti-social elements who were involved in various criminal activities.
Illegal banners, hoardings dot Zirakpur
Rajiv Bhatia
Zirakpur, April 4
Though it enjoys the privilege of being a neighbour to the City Beautiful, Zirakpur has not much to boast of. The defacement is taking a toll and the Zirakpur Municipal Council has failed to take any action against the defacement of public property by violators who have hung banners and hoardings at various parts of the city.
The problem has acquired an alarming proportion in the
town and one can easily spot banners in every nook and corner of the area.
The main violators are politicians, communication companies, religious organisations, educational institutions, private tuitions, boutiques, beauty saloons and event organisations.
Banners are also seen even for the functions to be held in Chandigarh and Panchkula.
Zirakpur MC official said in the absence of any strict laws to check the defacement of public property, the violators were defacing the town with hoardings and posters. He said no one had taken any permission for pasting posters and banners.
He added while conducting the drives, the council had faced problem of staff crunch. However, he said the council had issued notices to violators and collected the compounding fee.
A visit to several other areas, including Dhakoli, Zirakpur-Patiala Highway, Pabhat area, Baltana and Lohgarh shows that besides banners, the electricity poles and streetlights have been defaced with the posters. Not only private buildings, even high voltage electricity towers have not been spared by advertisers and politicians.
Residents seek local administration’s help to initiate action against the violators.
Mallika Khanna, a resident of Zirakpur, said the electricity poles and intersections were covered with the banners advertised by different educational institutes, giving an untidy look to it. He said the MC should take strict action against the violators.
“The entire town has been defaced with banners of politicians,” said Ram Niwas, a resident of Pabhat.
A sales executive of telecommunication on condition of anonymity said there was no need of permission from any official at Zirakpur to paste posters or any other promotional materials.
Zirakpur MC president Narinder Kumar Sharma claimed that the banners and posters would be removed by tomorrow. He said MC had plans to give the contract to private contractor for advertisement in the town. The tender for the contractor would be called shortly, he added.
Filing of IT returns Zirakpur residents demand transit office
Rajiv Bhatia
Zirakpur, April 3
Keeping in view the difficulties involved in filing of income tax return, the residents here demanded to the authorities concerned to open transit office at Zirakpur so that tax payees can deposit their returns.
Earlier the income tax payees used to deposit their returns at Rajpura and it was shifted to Mohali last year.
At present, in Zirakpur there are over 36 developers and more than 100 property consultants with thousands of salaried persons besides hundreds of traders.
Residents say there is an urgent need of an income tax return office so that everyone can file their returns without any delay.
SC Dhall, a senior banker, said the number of income tax payees had been rising every day at Zirakpur and it was very difficult for them to deposit their returns at Mohali, which was very far away. He said the authorities concerned should think about this public issue. “We are facing inconvenience during the filing of income tax return file as the brokers are charging hefty amounts to file the return,” said Jagtar Singh, a property consultant.
Zirakpur, April 3
Keeping in view the difficulties involved in filing of income tax return, the residents here demanded to the authorities concerned to open transit office at Zirakpur so that tax payees can deposit their returns.
Earlier the income tax payees used to deposit their returns at Rajpura and it was shifted to Mohali last year.
At present, in Zirakpur there are over 36 developers and more than 100 property consultants with thousands of salaried persons besides hundreds of traders.
Residents say there is an urgent need of an income tax return office so that everyone can file their returns without any delay.
SC Dhall, a senior banker, said the number of income tax payees had been rising every day at Zirakpur and it was very difficult for them to deposit their returns at Mohali, which was very far away. He said the authorities concerned should think about this public issue. “We are facing inconvenience during the filing of income tax return file as the brokers are charging hefty amounts to file the return,” said Jagtar Singh, a property consultant.
Travelling distances to spread ideology, make money
Rajiv Bhatia
Zirakpur, March 18
He is not happy with the response to the articles he sells here but his passion for communist ideology drives him to serve the party at Joyti Basu Nagar in Zirakpur.
A Basha (67) of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, has set up a stall to sell key chains, posters, badges carrying pictures of communist leaders besides other things.
The 13th All-India Conference of India Trade Unions (CITU) started on March 17 and is scheduled to go on till March 21.
Besides him, vendors from Kerala, Delhi and various towns of Punjab have set up stalls to sell articles promoting the communist ideology.
They are offering handmade accessories like T-shirt, photos, caps, key chains, badges, emblems, stickers, posters carrying their photographs of communist veterans like Harkishan Singh Surjeet and Jyoti Basu.
Besides handmade accessories, book stalls selling translated versions of books written by Lenin and Marx at reasonable prices are a big draw at the conference.
Their aim is to highlight the activities of communist leaders like Vladimir Lenin, Karl Marx, Che Guevara.
Basha, who has been serving the party in his unique way since early 1960s, said: “I am not doing this business to earn money. My passion for the party has always prompted me to set up a stall in the conference held anywhere in the country.”
He said his family members also helped him in the business. It is his second to visit to Punjab but has not been rejoiced by the response here.
“In Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, these accessories are in great demand and youngsters prefer photos of Guevara and Lenin on accessories”, he added.
Another vendor said before selling the accessories to customers, they explained them the history behind the communist struggle.
Pritam Singh (59) who had come from Barnala said: “I started a book shop, ‘Lenin Kitab Ghar’, at Barnala when I was younger. I have more than 500 different books on Lenin and Marx in Punjabi and they are gradually becoming famous among the local youth.”
Left Word Books from Delhi and Punjab Book Store from Chandigarh are also showcasing books on communist leaders.
A bookseller said people had been coming from far-off places to the conference to give orders for the supply of books.
Summer is back, so are power cuts
Rajiv Bhatia
Zirakpur, March 21
With the onset of summer, residents of Zirakpur and surrounding areas have started facing power cuts ranging from 4 to 6 hours a day. With tubewells becoming non-operational due to power cuts, water supply to the area has been badly affected.
Sources in the MC said, “Of the 31 tubewells, only 10 have generators and the remaining ones run on electricity.”
Residents of various housing apartments, colonies and villages within the municipal limits have demanded that the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) should give prior information about the power cuts, so that they get time to arrange some alternative source of energy.
Sumita, a resident of Dhakoli, said power cuts of at least six hours were being imposed everyday.
“I find it difficult to help my son (for board exams) in his preparation for the annual examination,” she added.
It’s a harrowing time for shopkeepers too. Madan Mohan, a shopkeeper in Zirakpur, said, “With frequent outages, it has become difficult to run the business.”
Rajan Khurana, a resident of Baltana, said, “We are used to such power cuts in June and July, but cuts at this time of the year make no logic.”
“Why necessary steps are not being taken to ease the ongoing power crisis?” he asked.
Residents said they had asked the MC officials to install generators, but their repeated pleas were turned down.
With the surging power demand, the load on transformers had also increased, said a PSEB official.
“We are imposing power cuts as per the instructions of the controller,” he added.
Zirakpur, March 21
With the onset of summer, residents of Zirakpur and surrounding areas have started facing power cuts ranging from 4 to 6 hours a day. With tubewells becoming non-operational due to power cuts, water supply to the area has been badly affected.
Sources in the MC said, “Of the 31 tubewells, only 10 have generators and the remaining ones run on electricity.”
Residents of various housing apartments, colonies and villages within the municipal limits have demanded that the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) should give prior information about the power cuts, so that they get time to arrange some alternative source of energy.
Sumita, a resident of Dhakoli, said power cuts of at least six hours were being imposed everyday.
“I find it difficult to help my son (for board exams) in his preparation for the annual examination,” she added.
It’s a harrowing time for shopkeepers too. Madan Mohan, a shopkeeper in Zirakpur, said, “With frequent outages, it has become difficult to run the business.”
Rajan Khurana, a resident of Baltana, said, “We are used to such power cuts in June and July, but cuts at this time of the year make no logic.”
“Why necessary steps are not being taken to ease the ongoing power crisis?” he asked.
Residents said they had asked the MC officials to install generators, but their repeated pleas were turned down.
With the surging power demand, the load on transformers had also increased, said a PSEB official.
“We are imposing power cuts as per the instructions of the controller,” he added.
Killer stretch: Authorities fail to act
Rajiv Bhatia
Zirakpur, March 25
At least 14 passengers, who were travelling in a mini-bus, sustained injuries on the killer stretch between Zirakpur and Lalru today. The bus collided with a multi-axle trailer near Dhillon factory light point.
The mishap has once again brought to the fore the failure the authorities concerned to make this stretch safer even as the number of road accidents here is increasing every day.
Even after more than one year of the four-lane of the Chandigarh-Ambala highway, no improvement has been seen in terms of rising number of accidents on this stretch.
According to police sources, more than 12 road mishaps have been reported in Zirakpur police station till March 20. Around 54 accidents occurred in Zirakpur last year in which 22 persons were killed, including 16 men, five women and one child. More than 70 persons were injured. In 2008, 36 accidents were reported out of which 21 persons died.
Sanjay Khurana, a resident of Panchkula says, “It is for the local administration to make the highway safer for the commuters.”
The residents have demanded that the administration should take steps in order to prevent mishaps in the accident prone areas.
They have also urged the local administration to check violations by truck and mini-bus drivers who drive the vehicles recklessly on the highway.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Dera Bassi to have three public conveniences
Rajiv Bhatia
Dera Bassi, January 31
The Dera Bassi MC is planning to construct three public conveniences at various places here, on the pattern of Chandigarh, to provide better civic facilities.
The move has been planned after residents of the area demanded public toilets. MC sources said after conducting a survey, they had selected three sites to build public toilets. The first public convenience will be constructed near Anaj Mandi, second near the State Bank of Patiala and third near the bus stand.
The sources said all three public toilets would be constructed on the Chandigarh pattern with modern facilities. The decision related to public conveniences would be discussed in the next MC meeting, the sources added.
However, MC sources said a private company was to be appointed to design and draw up the maps and for that tender would be called after getting approval from the municipal councillors. In an absence of public toilets, the visitors have faced inconvenience as they are forced to use open space for the purpose. “With increase in public dealing day by day at Dera Bassi Tehsil Complex, there is an urgent need of public toilets for the visitors,” said Mahinder Singh, a resident of Dera Bassi.
Dera Bassi MC Executive Officer Bhusan Jain said the MC officials had selected three sites for public conveniences that would be constructed on Chandigarh pattern. The work of public toilets would be started after the proposal gets approval from the MC, Jain added.
Dera Bassi, January 31
The Dera Bassi MC is planning to construct three public conveniences at various places here, on the pattern of Chandigarh, to provide better civic facilities.
The move has been planned after residents of the area demanded public toilets. MC sources said after conducting a survey, they had selected three sites to build public toilets. The first public convenience will be constructed near Anaj Mandi, second near the State Bank of Patiala and third near the bus stand.
The sources said all three public toilets would be constructed on the Chandigarh pattern with modern facilities. The decision related to public conveniences would be discussed in the next MC meeting, the sources added.
However, MC sources said a private company was to be appointed to design and draw up the maps and for that tender would be called after getting approval from the municipal councillors. In an absence of public toilets, the visitors have faced inconvenience as they are forced to use open space for the purpose. “With increase in public dealing day by day at Dera Bassi Tehsil Complex, there is an urgent need of public toilets for the visitors,” said Mahinder Singh, a resident of Dera Bassi.
Dera Bassi MC Executive Officer Bhusan Jain said the MC officials had selected three sites for public conveniences that would be constructed on Chandigarh pattern. The work of public toilets would be started after the proposal gets approval from the MC, Jain added.
Dera Bassi roads in bad shape
Harassed commuters on the bus-stand-tehsil link road at Dera Bassi on Saturday. Tribune photo: Nitin Mittal
Rajiv Bhatia
Dera Bassi, March 13
The stretch between the bus stand and tehsil complex here is in a state of neglect.The indifferent attitude of the authorities towards the maintenance of roads has harrowed hundreds of commuters. Residents claim that minor accidents are a routine affair on this road.
They asserted that despite being an industrial hub, roads here were full of potholes, which had made the vehicular movement unsafe. A shopkeeper, who runs a shop on the tehsil road, said several accidents had occurred on these potholed roads. “We have asked the authorities concerned several times, but nothing concrete has been done till now,” he added.
While the stretch between the police station and Government College is in a bad condition, the Mubarikpur road, too, presents the same picture.
Internal roads leading to the city also need re-carpeting. “The authorities never heeded our pleas,” says Sushant Verma, a resident of Dera Bassi. Dera Bassi Executive Officer Bhusan Jain stated that roads in Dera Bassi were in a poor state. He claimed that all roads in the town would be re-carpeted soon.
Civil hospital to get blood bank soon
Rajiv Bhatia
Dera Bassi, March 12
The Dera Bassi Civil Hospital will get a blood bank facility soon. The department concerned has started functioning to benefit a large number of patients in the sub-division. A room for the blood bank has been constructed and it would be functional after receiving the 24-hour hotline power supply.
Earlier, patients visiting the hospital had to go to government hospitals in Chandigarh and Kharar to meet their requirements, said SMO Dera Bassi Civil Hospital Dr Rajiv Bhalla. He said for saving life of their near and dear ones in emergency cases, family members had to rush to Chandigarh or Panchkula to get blood, where they had to pay a hefty sum.
“The hospital, which is located on the national highway, can save accident victims and the blood bank will make the task easier,” he added.
Bhalla said the bank would be equipped with apheresis machine, which would extract platelets easily. Other necessary equipment would be installed soon.
He said, “Infrastructure for the blood bank is in place and will be functional shortly. The hospital now awaits the hotline power supply.”
Divulging information, Bhalla said more than 20 units of blood will be stored at the bank
“We have taken up the issue with the authorities of GMCH-32 and Kharar Civil Hospital for the blood supply,” Bhalla added.
Dera Bassi, March 12
The Dera Bassi Civil Hospital will get a blood bank facility soon. The department concerned has started functioning to benefit a large number of patients in the sub-division. A room for the blood bank has been constructed and it would be functional after receiving the 24-hour hotline power supply.
Earlier, patients visiting the hospital had to go to government hospitals in Chandigarh and Kharar to meet their requirements, said SMO Dera Bassi Civil Hospital Dr Rajiv Bhalla. He said for saving life of their near and dear ones in emergency cases, family members had to rush to Chandigarh or Panchkula to get blood, where they had to pay a hefty sum.
“The hospital, which is located on the national highway, can save accident victims and the blood bank will make the task easier,” he added.
Bhalla said the bank would be equipped with apheresis machine, which would extract platelets easily. Other necessary equipment would be installed soon.
He said, “Infrastructure for the blood bank is in place and will be functional shortly. The hospital now awaits the hotline power supply.”
Divulging information, Bhalla said more than 20 units of blood will be stored at the bank
“We have taken up the issue with the authorities of GMCH-32 and Kharar Civil Hospital for the blood supply,” Bhalla added.
Zirakpur MC proposes Rs 23.6-cr budget
Rajiv Bhatia
Zirkapur, February 24
The Zirakpur Municipal Council has proposed a budget of Rs 23.6 crore for fiscal 2010-11. The budget meeting is scheduled to be held on February 25 at which the final decision would be taken after approval by the councillors.
The civic body expects its revenues to rise by 11 per cent in the coming financial year.
According to sources close to the MC, the civic body had approved a Rs 21.4 crore budget in FY2009-10. However, it has earned revenues of only Rs 14.13 crore till January 31 this year. However it had not added proceeds from the sale of property in the revenues earned.
The sources said by March 31 this year the council expects to earn revenues of Rs 21.22 crore. They added in the next fiscal the MC hopes to generate revenues from various sources of income.
The MC, however, plans to spend 90 per cent of its income (approx. Rs 21.24 crore) in 2010-11 for development works in the town, with Rs 7 crore being spent on improving roads.
The council has proposed Rs 1.7 crore for upgrading sewerage and water supply. It plans to spend Rs 1 crore on landscaping and parks, Rs 1.5 lakh on streets and drains and Rs 1.8 crore on streetlights. An amount of Rs 1.6 lakh has been proposed for construction of new buildings, Rs 30 lakh for buying new machinery and Rs 5.27 crore for various other development works.
Budget estimates of Rs 1.9 crore for non-plan heads and Rs 42 lakh for contingency have been proposed for the next fiscal, the sources added.
Zirakpur MC president Narinder Kumar Sharma said work on widening roads and improving the drainage system has already begun. “Development of the town is the MC’s main agenda for the coming financial year”, he added.
Zirkapur, February 24
The Zirakpur Municipal Council has proposed a budget of Rs 23.6 crore for fiscal 2010-11. The budget meeting is scheduled to be held on February 25 at which the final decision would be taken after approval by the councillors.
The civic body expects its revenues to rise by 11 per cent in the coming financial year.
According to sources close to the MC, the civic body had approved a Rs 21.4 crore budget in FY2009-10. However, it has earned revenues of only Rs 14.13 crore till January 31 this year. However it had not added proceeds from the sale of property in the revenues earned.
The sources said by March 31 this year the council expects to earn revenues of Rs 21.22 crore. They added in the next fiscal the MC hopes to generate revenues from various sources of income.
The MC, however, plans to spend 90 per cent of its income (approx. Rs 21.24 crore) in 2010-11 for development works in the town, with Rs 7 crore being spent on improving roads.
The council has proposed Rs 1.7 crore for upgrading sewerage and water supply. It plans to spend Rs 1 crore on landscaping and parks, Rs 1.5 lakh on streets and drains and Rs 1.8 crore on streetlights. An amount of Rs 1.6 lakh has been proposed for construction of new buildings, Rs 30 lakh for buying new machinery and Rs 5.27 crore for various other development works.
Budget estimates of Rs 1.9 crore for non-plan heads and Rs 42 lakh for contingency have been proposed for the next fiscal, the sources added.
Zirakpur MC president Narinder Kumar Sharma said work on widening roads and improving the drainage system has already begun. “Development of the town is the MC’s main agenda for the coming financial year”, he added.
Kanwaljit’s daughter vents pain in blog
Rajiv Bhatia
Zirakpur, February 26
Manpreet Kaur Dolly, daughter of the late Capt Kanwaljit Singh, has expressed anguish over the death of her father in her blog dollydhillon.wordpress.com.
She has asserted that there is no sense of justice in Punjab though a year has passed since the death of her father.
He could have been saved had he been taken to a good hospital at Mohali, she claimed. She expressed shock over the truck drivers’ release from jail four or five days after the fatal accident.
The writing of the blog coincided with the first death anniversary of Capt Kanwaljit Singh. “If a VIP is not cared for, what about the common man,” she wrote.
Through her blog, she wanted to give a message to the common man. “Since my father’s death, I have been exposed to politics. It is a task to get to the administration and leaders,” she wrote.
She remembered every word uttered by her father. Youngest of the siblings, her father had never refused her anything. She mentioned an incident where she wanted to go to the UK with him.
Her passport had expired, but it was renewed in no time, she wrote. The UK embassy in New Delhi was kept open beyond the scheduled closing time for her, she added.
PP Power
IN SAME LEAGUE: In blatant violation of traffic laws, four boys seen riding a motorcycle without helmet at Zirakpur. Not to be left behind, two cops, riding parallel to the boys, have just ‘PP’ written on the number plate of their motorcycle. Photo: Rajiv Bhatia
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Lack of parking space leads to traffic jam in Zirakpur
Rajiv Bhatia
Zirakpur, January 24
Chaos prevailed at Zirakpur following a major traffic jam that was witnessed due to ongoing shopping festival at the Paras Down Town Square here on Sunday. The traffic came to a standstill at most of the intersections, causing harassment to daily commuters. Traffic cops had a tough time in managing the traffic at many places.
The commuters alleged that since there was no proper parking at Paras Down Town Square, they were facing parking problem and were forced to park their vehicles outside the mall.
A survey of the area revealed that the commuters faced inconvenience as they were parking their vehicles in no -parking zone. The traffic police failed to challan the vehicles as they were helping the commuters to park their vehicles outside the mall.
The shopping festival at Big Bazaar is on. It leads to heavy rush at the mall. Visitors from Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali throng the mall, which leads to problem of parking.
Sanjay Chawla, a resident of Panchkula, said hundreds of vehicles were stranded for more than half-an -hour on the Zirakpur-Kalka highway as they were struck in a jam, which was caused due to the shopping festival.
Jagtar Singh, a resident of Patiala, said it’s not the first time that he had faced the parking problem but the mall authorities had failed to provide proper parking on every festival or big shopping festival.
He stated that the authority concerned should think about proper parking before opening a mall.
Traffic in charge Manjeet Singh stated that the traffic cops were performing their duties to clear the traffic jam due to a heavy rush of vehicles at the mall. “We will strictly ask the mall authorities to arrange proper parking before starting any shopping festival”, he added.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Awareness week ends, traffic violations continue
Rajiv Bhatia
Zirakpur, January 10
Even after three days of conclusion of the road safety week celebrated by the Mohali Police, not much difference has been observed as traffic violations continue in Zirakpur.
Though traffic cops are busy in intercepting outstation vehicles, especially Delhi numbers, they hardly bother to challan traffic violators.
During the week-long road safety week they were educating people about the traffic rules like wearing helmets, using seat belts, refraining from over-speeding and installing reflectors on the rear of the vehicles. But it seems that this education was only for one week.
A visit to the area reveals that traffic violations are on a rise. Youngsters riding two-wheelers without helmets, vehicles coming on the wrong side of the highway, auto-rickshaws and rickshaws often parked on the roadsides posing a threat to other commuters are common practice.
A Himachal Pradesh-based truck driver alleged that traffic cops usually harass out station truck drivers and ask for “kharcha pani”.
Non-functioning of traffic lights in Zirakpur made traffic jam a routine affair as traffic police was not present on some intersections. Residents claimed that the traffic cops were always busy on their phones.
Zirakpur-based advocate Harinder Pal Singh Ishar said celebrating traffic safety week was a good thing but first the traffic police should educate parents and school teachers about the consequences of traffic violations. He said the school authorities should ban use of two wheelers for minor students.
Meanwhile, SSP, Mohali, GS Bhullar said the traffic safety week would prove to be a big help to streamline the traffic movement and to keep a check on traffic violation in the district. “We are calling the advisory committee meeting on Wednesday to discuss all traffic relating matters in the district,” he added.
Fog hits road traffic
Fog hits road traffic
Rajiv Bhatia
Zirakpur, January 7
With fog engulfing the region, especially in the early and late night hours, traffic on the stretch between Zirakpur-Lalru on the Chandigarh-Ambala national highway continues to move at snail’s pace due to poor visibility.
Traffic on the Zirakpur-Patiala road and the Zirkapur-Panchkula road has also been affected.
Commuters are facing hard times crossing the stretch, especially during night.
They complained that the four-laning of the highway had been of little help as streetlights were not functioning and trucks parked by the roadside also caused inconvenience.
A commuter claimed that streetlights from Sharma farm house to Dera Bassi railway overbridge were not functional, causing difficulty in locating vehicles moving ahead or those crossing the median.
Travelling on the highway during night was not easy as traffic moved at slow speed due to low visibility. Cyclists and pedestrians were the toughest to sight.
In the absence of streetlights on the entrance to Zirkapur, commuters faced difficulty in crossing the stretch till the flyover.
Also, dust on self-illuminating indicators along the edge of the road made things more difficult for motorists.
Visibility went down to a few metres from Chhat lights to Dera Bassi railway overbridge.
The work on widening of Zirkapur-Kalka highway was also posing problems for motorists.
“I had returned from Patiala and it took me five hours to reach here,” said Kapil, a resident of Zirakpur.
Fog was so dense that it was difficult to even judge the speed of your vehicle, he said.
Bus passengers also faced inconvenience due to the fog.
Vipin Sharma, a resident of Karnal, said he had been waiting for bus for the past two hours but most buses were apparently running late.
Buses usually ran on regular intervals for his destination but fog had affected travel time as well as the frequency of buses, he added.
yearahead-2010
Zirakpur MC to complete sewerage system this year
Rajiv Bhatia
Zirakpur, January 2
Deprived of the basic amenities like sewerage, water supply and metalled roads, Zirakpur residents hope that 2010 will be more eventful as MC officials claimed that they would meet the targets this year.
One of the important issues would be completing the sewerage network, as the deadline was March 2010.
Estimates for carpeting of roads have been drawn and the same will be given practical shape in the coming year. Beside this, Zirakpur has 30 tubewells for water supply in the area and soon the MC is going to instal 4 new tubewells to make better water supply in the area.
In the wake of declining water level in the Zirakpur region, the MC has planning to moot a proposal with the state government to have appropriate share of water from the Kajoli water works through Mohali district.
This year, the MC has planned to construct an indoor stadium in Nabha, 30-bed hospital in Dhakoli, modern bus stand at Zirakpur-Kalka intersection, sewerage treatment plant (STP) treatment plant in Singhpura village, new building of the Municipal Council in Bishanpura, golf course and a lake at Gazipur common land. Green parks are to be made in residential areas and the green belt is to be beautified under the Zirakpur flyover.
The MC official claimed the work of sewerage project under the Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT) is 90 per cent complete. The cost of project is Rs 52.19 crore. The sewerage laying work will be complete in the next three months.
Sources added that the sewer disposal and STP would be started soon as the MC had selected the land in Singhpura village.Four new tubewells will be installed at Baltana Ward No 12, Ward No 13, Dhakoli and Pabhat village in the coming year.
The residents had complained about the low-water level in Zirakpur, the MC would take up the issue with the state government to get a share of water from the Kajoli water works through Mohali district an MC official added. The work of 30-bed hospital and an indoor stadium have been started.
In 2009, the Zirakpur Municipal Council had become a grade-one category municipal body. The council had changed five executive officers in more than one year. The new executive officer Shatrajit Sharma from Mandi Gobindgarh was appointed few months back.
Before him the executive officer Sukhjinder Singh Sidhu was transferred. In February, Sidhu was appointed as the Zirakpur MC executive officer after Vijay Gupta, who was appointed an EO in December last year.
In the coming year, the residents of the area will also get two new mega malls, a private multi-specialty hospital on Zirakpur-Kalka road, two hotels with luxurious facilities and new housing projects in Gazipur. The housings projects will be passed on the guidelines of Zirakpur masterplan.
The work on four-laning of the Zirakpur-Patiala highway is expected to start soon. The work of widening of the Zirakpur-Kalka highway is in process and will be completed soon. The MC officials claimed that the development of the area would be completed on a priority basis.
Rajiv Bhatia
Zirakpur, January 2
Deprived of the basic amenities like sewerage, water supply and metalled roads, Zirakpur residents hope that 2010 will be more eventful as MC officials claimed that they would meet the targets this year.
One of the important issues would be completing the sewerage network, as the deadline was March 2010.
Estimates for carpeting of roads have been drawn and the same will be given practical shape in the coming year. Beside this, Zirakpur has 30 tubewells for water supply in the area and soon the MC is going to instal 4 new tubewells to make better water supply in the area.
In the wake of declining water level in the Zirakpur region, the MC has planning to moot a proposal with the state government to have appropriate share of water from the Kajoli water works through Mohali district.
This year, the MC has planned to construct an indoor stadium in Nabha, 30-bed hospital in Dhakoli, modern bus stand at Zirakpur-Kalka intersection, sewerage treatment plant (STP) treatment plant in Singhpura village, new building of the Municipal Council in Bishanpura, golf course and a lake at Gazipur common land. Green parks are to be made in residential areas and the green belt is to be beautified under the Zirakpur flyover.
The MC official claimed the work of sewerage project under the Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT) is 90 per cent complete. The cost of project is Rs 52.19 crore. The sewerage laying work will be complete in the next three months.
Sources added that the sewer disposal and STP would be started soon as the MC had selected the land in Singhpura village.Four new tubewells will be installed at Baltana Ward No 12, Ward No 13, Dhakoli and Pabhat village in the coming year.
The residents had complained about the low-water level in Zirakpur, the MC would take up the issue with the state government to get a share of water from the Kajoli water works through Mohali district an MC official added. The work of 30-bed hospital and an indoor stadium have been started.
In 2009, the Zirakpur Municipal Council had become a grade-one category municipal body. The council had changed five executive officers in more than one year. The new executive officer Shatrajit Sharma from Mandi Gobindgarh was appointed few months back.
Before him the executive officer Sukhjinder Singh Sidhu was transferred. In February, Sidhu was appointed as the Zirakpur MC executive officer after Vijay Gupta, who was appointed an EO in December last year.
In the coming year, the residents of the area will also get two new mega malls, a private multi-specialty hospital on Zirakpur-Kalka road, two hotels with luxurious facilities and new housing projects in Gazipur. The housings projects will be passed on the guidelines of Zirakpur masterplan.
The work on four-laning of the Zirakpur-Patiala highway is expected to start soon. The work of widening of the Zirakpur-Kalka highway is in process and will be completed soon. The MC officials claimed that the development of the area would be completed on a priority basis.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)