Residents of Gurwali village in Amritsar are grappling with severe civic problems as broken roads, overflowing drains, and stagnant wastewater continue to disrupt daily life. Villagers allege that despite repeated complaints to the authorities, little attention has been paid to the deteriorating infrastructure.
Deplorable Conditions in the Village
A visit to the village reveals roads riddled with potholes, open drains running alongside residential streets, garbage piled on roadsides, and dirty water accumulating on roads for days. In several areas, wastewater from households flows directly onto the streets due to inadequate drainage facilities, creating unhygienic conditions and posing serious health risks for residents.
Locals said the poor state of civic amenities has persisted for years and worsens during the monsoon season, when rainwater mixes with sewage, making many streets nearly impassable.
Voices of the Affected
“People have to wade through dirty water every day. The condition of roads is so bad that even two-wheelers face difficulties,” said Gurmeet Singh, a resident of the village. Another villager, Balwinder Kaur, expressed concern over public health. “Open drains and stagnant water have become breeding grounds for mosquitoes. We fear the spread of diseases, especially during the summer and rainy months,” she said.
Residents also complained that emergency vehicles and sanitation workers face challenges accessing certain parts of the village due to damaged roads and waterlogging. “We have submitted several requests to the departments and elected representatives concerned, but no permanent solution has been provided. The village appears to have been completely neglected by the administration,” a resident said.
Demands for Immediate Action
Villagers alleged that despite government claims of rural development and improved infrastructure, Gurwali continues to struggle with a lack of basic civic amenities. They demanded the immediate repair and recarpeting of village roads, construction of a proper drainage system, and regular cleaning of drains to prevent waterlogging.
Residents have appealed to the district administration and the Punjab Government to intervene and address the long-pending civic issues at the earliest. They warned that if prompt action is not taken, they may be forced to launch a public agitation to draw attention to their grievances.
