Abohar trying hard to get rid of India’s 3rd dirtiest city tag

BATHINDA: The Abohar municipal corporation (MC) seems to have gone on an overdrive to rid the city of the tag of being the country’s third dirtiest in the last Swachh Survekshan by laying sewerage and with plans to build concrete pavements, cycle tracks and two new sports stadiums.

Also, the civic body is coming up with Punjab’s first pedestrian-friendly urban area for which the state government has sanctioned Rs 6.5 crore as part of the ‘Project Kadam’. Officials say the town, which along with its surrounding areas is known as the country’s kinnow hub, will have a changed face by June.

Rakesh Kalani, a local trader, said, “The poor ranking came as a blessing in disguise for the town. Abohar used to be an important city that housed numerous cotton ginning mills but gradually the belt started lagging behind in development. Roads and civic amenities were neglected. Planned development was completely missing. But since September last year, visible changes in infrastructure have brought a relief to the local residents.”

Geet Setia, a second-generation orchardist, appreciated the corporation’s upcoming plans to develop open-air gymnasiums by removing encroachments at underpasses. “It is after several years that encroachments from commercial areas have been removed. Public conveniences have been constructed at various points and streetlights were replaced with LED lamps. A green belt is also being developed around the commercial areas,” he added.

Municipal commissioner Abhijeet Kaplish said it was indeed a huge embarrassment when Abohar was ranked as third dirtiest in India in the category of cities with population between 1 and 10 lakh on cleanliness and sanitation last year. “But we took it as a challenge and ushered in new development ideas for a town of 2.50 lakh population,” he said.

Local body authorities say the old town has a limited space of new development, it roped in different state departments for planning to give it a new look.

The civil society is being roped in to promote pedestrian culture and providing them with the necessary infrastructure.

“The work on roads, underground sewer network and drinking water supply is expected to get complete in the next six months. Then we will have 1.8 meter wide walkways on both sides of the entire town. Dedicated bicycle tracks and ample space for vehicular parking lots will be developed,” he said.