Residents of a city sector have raised serious concerns over deteriorating civic infrastructure, warning that broken pavements and persistent sewage issues are turning daily life into a struggle — especially for children and senior citizens.
Pedestrians Forced Onto Busy Roads
According to locals, most footpaths in the area are either damaged, encroached upon, or completely missing, forcing pedestrians to walk on roads alongside fast-moving traffic.
“Most of the pavements are either broken or entirely absent. People, including elderly residents and schoolchildren, have no choice but to walk on the carriageway,” said Puneet Pahwa, general secretary of the Sector 45 RWA. He added that roadside vendors occupying pavements and waterlogging during monsoon months make matters even worse.
Officials acknowledged the problem and said a tender for constructing footpaths along 18-metre-wide roads has already been approved, with work expected to begin in March.
Sewage Overflow Raising Health Concerns
Alongside unsafe walkways, residents reported frequent sewage overflow and clogged drains across several streets.
“The issue isn’t limited to heavy rains. Sewage backs up onto roads regularly, especially near house number 1008. The foul smell is unbearable and poses a serious health risk,” said resident SP Bansal.
Others echoed the complaint, stating that repeated representations to authorities have not led to lasting solutions. Overflowing drains not only create unsanitary conditions but also damage roads and worsen mosquito breeding.
Hope Before Monsoon
Civic officials said desilting work is currently underway to clear blocked drains before the monsoon season. Residents expressed cautious optimism but stressed that long-term infrastructure upgrades — not temporary fixes — are needed.
With summer approaching and rains not far behind, locals say timely action will be crucial to prevent accidents, disease outbreaks, and further deterioration of basic urban facilities.
