Balachaur, October 30 (Jatinder Pal Singh Kaler):- The Shiromani Akali Dal Punarsurjit has launched a front against the government over long-pending problems in the Balachaur Assembly constituency. A large number of party workers and local residents, led by party constituency in-charge Sethi Sarpanch Thopia, submitted a 16-point memorandum of demands to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann through the SDM, Balachaur.
On the occasion, Sethi Sarpanch Thopia said that even after four and a half years of the Aam Aadmi Party government, the Balachaur constituency had remained completely backward in terms of development. He said that the claims being made about the pace of development were nowhere to be seen on the ground. According to him, the government was leading only in spreading false publicity through flex boards, while people on the ground were still struggling with damaged roads, dirty water, traffic jams and closed hospitals.
The memorandum first sought the construction of a 400-metre sports track in Balachaur and the filling of vacant teaching posts in schools across the area. It also demanded the renovation of damaged roads in Balachaur city, including Bhaddi Road, Main Chowk and Garhi Road. Other demands included the removal of illegal encroachments from city roads, proper disposal of garbage thrown by street vendors, relief from traffic congestion, a permanent solution to dirty-water drainage and the immediate restoration of non-functional streetlights.
Regarding healthcare facilities, the memorandum stated that the Civil Hospital in Kathgarh, which is currently closed, should be reopened and an adequate number of doctors should be provided so that residents of the area do not have to travel long distances for treatment.
Expressing concern over pollution, the memorandum stated that wastewater from factories operating in the tehsil was being discharged into the Sutlej River and the ground, contaminating groundwater. It demanded an immediate halt to this practice. The memorandum also called for measures to control the increasing noise pollution in the city.
To prevent road accidents, the party demanded proper arrangements to stop accidents caused by stray cattle. It also sought the construction of flyovers at Kathgarh Mor, Kangna Bridge on the Ropar-Jalandhar road bypass, and Garhi Kanungoan Chowk, also known as Bhulekha Chowk, on the GT Road highway.
On the issue of drugs, Sethi Thopia said that justice should be delivered to the family of Parminder Chhota, who lost his life while opposing drugs, and the demands raised by the committee formed by the family should be implemented. He also demanded the formation of confidential teams to curb drug abuse and trafficking.
Concluding his address, constituency in-charge Sethi Sarpanch Thopia said that these demands were not related to any single political party but were essential needs of ordinary people in the area. He urged the Punjab government to resolve these problems at the earliest, warning that otherwise people would be forced to take to the streets. Office-bearers and workers of the Shiromani Akali Dal Punarsurjit, along with local residents, were present on the occasion.
