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.
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