The local city is surrounded by massive garbage heaps, and the councilors have maintained silence, causing distress to the residents. Due to the lack of consensus among councilors and the arbitrary actions of city council officials, the city now appears to be sitting on a pile of garbage. Recently, the city was awarded the Cleanest City Slogan Award by the Prime Minister of India under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, but given the current state of the city, that award has been buried in files.
Out of the city’s 19 wards, approximately 10 wards have extremely poor sanitation, drinking water, sewerage systems, and streetlights. Gurvinder Singh, a resident of Ward No. 8, stated that complaints regarding incomplete roads, drinking water, and sewerage systems have been repeatedly made to the authorities, but no one has paid attention. Ward No. 9 resident Rajesh Kumar Lucky said that the Punjab government promotes change and beautiful cities, but the reality of Budhlada is quite the opposite. Municipal Council officials are deliberately turning the city into a garbage dump. He pointed out that the garbage collection vehicles themselves have become junk, so how can they clean the streets and drains?
Ward No. 10 residents Vishal Kumar and Karamjit Kaur said that this ward is a densely populated area with daily shopping, but illegal encroachments in the markets, unapproved buildings, and dilapidated roads have become commonplace. Ward No. 14 Councilor Prem Garg said that the attitude of Municipal Council officials during this government has left him deeply saddened and disappointed. The condition of roads, streetlights, and drains in his ward is extremely poor. Recently, diseases like chikungunya spread rapidly in the city, but neither the Municipal Council nor its employees carried out spraying or fogging. Ward No. 7 Councilor Sukhwinder Kaur (Sukhi) explained that her ward lies between the railway lines, a portion of which extends beyond the city, but the Municipal Council has abandoned it.
Vehicles are started using towbars. The Municipal Council vehicles that collect garbage early in the morning are started using towbars. Many vehicles have worn out tires, yet drivers continue to transport garbage across the city, risking their lives. Recently, the then SDM, Sagar Setia, provided the Municipal Council with new vehicles and a JCB worth lakhs of rupees, but due to the negligence of officials, these vehicles have now become scrap. Negligence has led to the vehicles becoming dilapidated. Municipal Council President Sukhpal Singh stated that he has periodically informed the responsible officials, but due to their negligence, the vehicles have become dilapidated. A recommendation is being made to higher authorities to issue orders in this regard soon.
Performing his duties honestly
The Executive Officer stated that he is performing his duties honestly, in accordance with the regulations. Any complaint received is resolved promptly.
