Jalandhar: Fencing project started along the Bist Doab canal to prevent dumping of garbage.

Jalandhar: To ensure that no waste is dumped into the Bist Doab canal that passes through the city, the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation has finally laid the foundation stone for a project to fence its boundaries. Laying the foundation stone for the project, Minister Mohinder Bhagat and Mayor Vineet Dheer said that the project would be completed at a cost of Rs 3.28 crore. People living along the canal banks were dumping household waste into the canal. Garbage collectors were also emptying their vehicles into the canal, leading to a massive accumulation of waste. Although the canal remains dry for most of the year, drainage department officials had to hire laborers every few months to clean it. Residents living along the canal banks also faced considerable difficulties as the stench from the rotting garbage made their lives miserable. Adding to the problem, a large section of the Bihari community would leave banana stems, pineapples, earthen pots, cane baskets, and other items in the canal after celebrating Chhath Puja every year.
However, with the fencing of the canal, the situation is expected to improve, at least to some extent, a senior official of the department posted in Jalandhar said. He said, “We have been discussing the canal fencing project with the municipal corporation officials for more than two years.” Bhagat also launched 11 other development projects worth Rs 6.24 crore aimed at improving roads, streets, public spaces, and community facilities in Jalandhar. These projects include the construction of various roads in C-Block at a cost of Rs 31.1 lakh, roads in Bhargav Camp and surrounding areas at Rs 48.55 lakh, streets in Raj Nagar at Rs 37 lakh, a street in Abadpura at Rs 15.5 lakh, and another street near Harbans Nagar at Rs 20.49 lakh. In addition, separate lanes will be constructed near Apna Park at a cost of ₹49.63 lakh, while a lane in JP Nagar will be developed for ₹44.14 lakh. He announced that two new public libraries would be built to promote educational and community activities – one near Baba Budha Mall Park and the other on the 120-foot road – each costing ₹25 lakh. Dheer said that the state government is continuously focusing on projects that improve urban infrastructure and ensure the planned development of the city.