Ludhiana, July 31
Former President of the District Congress Committee, Ludhiana (Urban) and former Chairman of the Punjab Large Industrial Development Board, Pawan Dewan, has demanded that the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation issue a ‘White Paper’ pertaining too various branches and their functioning the past five years. Holding the Municipal Corporation squarely responsible for the dismal state of civic amenities, Dewan said that despite collecting multiple taxes annually from residents and receiving funds from other sources, the MC has failed miserably.
“The chaos in the city after yesterday’s rain has laid bare the pathetic state of civic affairs, raising urgent questions not only about official accountability but also about the allocation of funds. From broken roads and poor sanitation to erratic water supply and collapsing infrastructure, every basic facility lies in ruins, forcing residents to struggle daily. People have a right to know where the so‑called development funds are going if this is the condition of an industrial hub,” said Dewan.
In a statement issued here today, Dewan voiced grave concern over the alleged blatant misutilisation of funds earmarked for developmental projects, warning that such ‘financial irregularities’ are eroding the very foundation of public welfare and stalling genuine progress. He lamented that even a brief spell of rain is enough to inundate city areas, with extreme water‑logging turning daily commuting into an ordeal. “The crisis has been compounded by sewerage backflow, which has reached such alarming proportions that filth now enters people’s homes, exposing them to serious health hazards and underscoring the sheer collapse of civic management,” he rued.
Referring to the deplorable condition of city roads, Dewan said, “These roads don’t even survive six months. Who is accountable for this mess? Has the MC ever acted against contractors in accordance with the laid‑down norms? The glaring inaction makes it abundantly clear that civic authorities are hand‑in‑glove with contractors—an extremely serious issue.” He further added that, far from undertaking development, the MC has even failed to ensure the basic supply of water thrice a day in several city areas, exposing its sheer inefficiency and disregard for residents’ needs.
Dewan pointed out that owing to the Municipal Corporation’s sheer failure, Ludhiana today carries the ignominious tag of a ‘city of potholes.’ He noted that massive craters dotting the roads are not just an eyesore but a daily death trap, causing accidents with alarming regularity and exposing the shocking neglect of civic authorities.
Dewan demanded that, in the wake of the issues raised, the MC must come clean on every single matter—most crucially the utilization of funds. He asserted that the only credible way forward is to issue a comprehensive ‘White Paper’ giving a detailed account of the audit branch, F&CC, B&R, O&M, etc without delay.