Congress leader and Kapurthala MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh has launched a sharp criticism against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab for abruptly stopping work on a crucial drinking water project in Kapurthala town. The former Cabinet minister has demanded an immediate resumption of the Rs 26-crore initiative, warning that political considerations should not hinder development work that affects public welfare.
Project Halted Abruptly, Residents Protest
Rana Gurjeet Singh condemned the sudden stoppage of work on Monday, describing the move as "highly condemnable" and "against public interest." He revealed that he had inspected the ongoing work just last Saturday, December 21, where digging for laying new pipelines was progressing at full scale. Shockingly, the work was ordered to stop the very next day, on Sunday.
"The work was stopped at the behest of AAP leaders. This is completely unacceptable. Residents should not be made to suffer due to political bias," the Congress legislator stated. Following the halt, local residents took to the streets in protest, demanding the project's immediate restart to ensure a safe and uninterrupted drinking water supply.
Continuity in Governance is Essential: MLA
Emphasising the principle of continuity in governance, Rana Gurjeet argued that projects sanctioned by previous governments must be carried forward for the larger public good. "Governments function in continuity. A government belongs to everyone. For public representatives, like us, and for governments, people’s interest must always remain the top priority," he asserted.
The potable water supply project was originally sanctioned during the Congress government's tenure in Punjab, between 2017 and 2022. It falls under the central government's AMRUT-II (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) scheme. This flagship programme aims for 100% coverage of safe drinking water in urban areas, strengthens water infrastructure, and provides sustainable water supply systems.
Details of the Vital Kapurthala Water Project
Rana Gurjeet explained that he had advocated for the project with the Centre as the earlier AMRUT-I scheme was concluding. Given Kapurthala's urgent needs and its deteriorating water supply infrastructure, the project was approved under AMRUT-II.
The necessity for the project stems from the extremely poor condition of the existing water pipelines in the town. "In several localities, old and corroded pipelines resulted in potable water getting mixed with sewage, posing serious health risks to residents," the Congress leader highlighted.
The ambitious project planned to lay a new 95-kilometre potable water pipeline network across Kapurthala. To ensure durability and safety, the plan involved using six-inch GI cement-coated, rust-proof pipes. The water supply was to be sourced from tube wells, with four-inch pipelines planned for individual household connections. The project aimed to cover the entire town's population and was scheduled for completion within a two-year timeframe.
Rana Gurjeet Singh has now urgently appealed to both the AAP state government and the local civic authorities to restart the stalled work without any further delay, putting people's health and convenience above political motives.
