In what can only be described as a “shocking collapse” of civic administration, the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (LMC) appears to have descended into one of the “worst” civic bodies in the state. The city’s residents are being forced to endure an unprecedented ordeal, with basic civic services deteriorating by the day and accountability seemingly nowhere in sight.
O&M Cell’s Wayward Functioning Exposes LMC’s Complete Loss of Control
The conduct of officials in the Operation & Maintenance Cell (O&M) lays bare the complete collapse of authority within Ludhiana’s Municipal Corporation. It is now glaringly evident that the top brass has utterly lost command over its O&M Cell. Officials and employees of the O&M Cell are no longer guided by merit or accountability but operate solely on their whims and fancies — a civic administration reduced to anarchy, mocking the very idea of governance.
Ludhiana Drowns in Sewage as LMC Fails to Deliver a Permanent Fix
Speaking to The News Gateway, residents from across Ludhiana delivered the most damning indictment of the Municipal Corporation. Their question is blunt: why has LMC failed to find a permanent solution to the city’s overflowing sewerage? “Entire localities remain drowned in filth, drains spewing sewage back into homes and streets. This nightmare has persisted since last year, yet no course correction has been made,” said Jaskaran Singh, a resident of Model Town.
‘Whims and Fancies’ Rule O&M Cell as LMC’s Authority Crumbles
Residents have laid bare the complete collapse of one of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation’s most crucial wings—the O&M Cell, which appears to be functioning according to its own “whims and fancies”. The very department entrusted with keeping the city’s sewerage and drainage system functional appears to have become synonymous with irresponsible failure, negligence and administrative apathy. The overflowing drains, choked sewer lines and horrifying backflow into residential areas are not isolated incidents. They are the unmistakable symptoms of a civic system that has been allowed to deteriorate under the watch of those responsible for maintaining it.
Sewage Nightmare Becomes a Public Crisis as O&M Cell Fails Ludhiana
For the people of Ludhiana, the O&M Cell’s failure is no longer merely an issue of poor maintenance—it has become a full-blown public crisis. Residents are being forced to live with sewage on their streets, foul-smelling water entering their homes and an administration that appears incapable of providing even a basic, lasting solution.
Roads Collapse Again and Again as O&M Cell Dodges Responsibility
“When a road caves in, the O&M Cell fails to carry out the necessary work properly and hands the matter over to the B&R Branch for re-carpeting of the road. This is nothing but passing the buck instead of fixing the problem at its source. Can you imagine that patches of the roads near Saggu Chowk caved in more than half a dozen times in quick succession,” said area residents.
O&M Cell’s Buck-Passing Leaves Roads Vulnerable to Repeated Cave-Ins: Dewan
While terming the functioning of the LMC, particularly its O&M Cell, as “horrible” and “completely unacceptable”, former District Congress Committee, Ludhiana (Urban) president Pawan Dewan said, “As many as six roads have caved in within the past 45 days, yet the authorities appear to have learnt no lesson. With the top brass of the LMC having virtually no control over the officials and employees of the O&M Cell, the residents continue to bear the brunt of their sheer negligence and administrative failure. If this reckless neglect continues, the people of Ludhiana will have no choice but to launch massive protest dharnas right outside the LMC.”
‘Den of Corruption’: Bansal Slams O&M Cell’s Dysfunction and Lack of Accountability
Meanwhile, terming the functioning of the LMC, particularly its O&M Cell, as extremely deplorable, condemnable and unfortunate, former Senior Deputy Mayor Praveen Bansal said that it was shocking that the Municipal Corporation appeared to have little or no control over the functioning of the O&M Cell.
While castigating the LMC, Bansal said, “The O&M Cell is not discharging its duties in a diligent, responsible or satisfactory manner. The manner in which it is functioning has caused immense hardship to the people and exposed the complete failure of accountability within the Corporation. It would be better for the Corporation and its O&M Cell to mend their ways immediately and start discharging their duties sincerely and responsibly; otherwise the day is not far when the people of Ludhiana will themselves take to the streets and expose the functioning of the LMC before the entire city.”
Bansal further alleged that the LMC has turned into a ‘den of corruption’, where nobody appears genuinely concerned about performing their duties properly or remaining accountable to the people. “When officials are allowed to function without responsibility and accountability, it is the common citizen who ultimately pays the price,” he added.
Despite repeated attempts, Municipal Commissioner Ojaswi Alankar was not available for comment. The story will be updated as and when his response is received.