PANCHKULA: Successive governments have promised a slum-free Panchkula, but the reality on the ground remains unchanged for residents who endure the consequences daily. Authorities are addressing the issue but only on paper, conducting surveys without taking any concrete action.
In the era of ‘Swachh Bharat’ initiatives, these slum areas have become hubs of unsanitary conditions, causing trouble not only for the colony dwellers but also for residents in other sectors.
Near Mansa Devi Complex, hutments and dirty stagnant water at the entrance make it difficult to even enter the narrow lanes. Insanitary conditions are also seen in Kharak Mangoli and Gandhi Colonies. In Indira Colony and Rajiv Colony in Sector 17, the situation is worse. A dirty drain passes through these slums, filled with both stagnant and moving garbage. Pigs, cattle, and dogs move in and around the drain, making it a challenge to stand there even for a moment due to the constant foul odour.
“We are living a hell-like life. During rains, water from this dirty drain enters our houses. We have been requesting the authorities to at least build a wall around the drain and provide basic amenities,” said Savita, a resident of Rajiv Colony. In these slum areas, where there is no sewerage system, open defecation is a common sight.
Usha Rani, councillor of ward number 7, which includes Indira Colony and Rajiv Colony, told TOI: “These colonies have been here since 1984, but governments come and go without rehabilitating us. In 1994-95, during the tenure of ex-chief minister Bhajan Lal, the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA), now renamed Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP), conducted a survey identifying 2,756 households for one marla plots. Although 307 dwellers received allotment letters, nothing happened.”
“Later in 2009-10, a government scheme was floated under which flats were to be allotted to us. Again, we paid some amount for that, but till today there is nothing on that too,” she said.
The councillor said that even the 7,600 slum dwellers who were provided flats in four ‘Ashiana complexes’ — one each in Sector 20, Sector 26, Sector 28, and Industrial Area Phase I — face several problems. The roofs of their houses are leaking, and the buildings are in dire need of repairs.
Mohit Gupta, founder of Solution Box, a group of city residents working to improve city issues, said: “Due to the slum areas, cleanliness is not the only issue; there are also problems with crime and drugs. Some residents who received flats still did not leave their existing slums. Authorities should ensure they are properly rehabilitated.”
According to information available, a previous survey proposed relocating the slum dwellers to Kharak Mangoli village, but they refused, insisting on areas within the city.
On the issue, MLA Chandermohan said: “Since most of these people work in the homes of residents in different sectors, it is not appropriate to relocate them to a distant village. They should be rehabilitated soon, as this was also a promise in our Congress party manifesto.”
Former two-time BJP MLA Gian Chand Gupta said: “The work to provide them housing is in the final stages. There is a plan to provide them shelter in Kharak Mangoli. In 10-15 days, some development will occur, as HSVP officials recently informed me in a meeting.”
Confirming this, an official from HSVP mentioned that surveys of most colonies are complete, and they will soon present a plan.
Source Homevior.in
