DC Garg: Ludhiana needs to replicate Chandigarh to solve traffic problems

To kickstart a process of focused development,Singh announced a joint core group with the participation of the local industry,senior officials from the Administration and prominent members of the civil society to deliberate upon and ensure that the plans formulated are implemented within the timelines along with monitoring mechanisms.

The key issues on which the core group will focus upon includes: revival of Focal Point (Phase-8),sorting traffic congestion at key intersections of the city,advocating a mechanism to help sustain the ecology of Buddha Nullah and prompt autorickshaws in Ludhiana to convert to CNG.

Elaborating on the issue of traffic congestion especially at key points such as Samrala Chowk,Jagraon Bridge and Campa Cola Chowk,and the traffic hazards posed by encroachments by roadside vendors,Deputy Commissioner Vikas Garg said the city needs to replicate the practices adopted by authorities in Chandigarh and Pune,“who solved problems of traffic congestion by meticulous planning and implementation”. Local transport within the city needs early improvement,Garg stressed.

Deliberating on concerns of pollution-related issues specifically the Buddha Nallah,Subash Bajaj of the Bajaj Group highlighted the need to advocate a mechanism to help sustain the ecology. “Industrial,household and civic waste all flow into the Buddha Nallah,untreated and unchecked. This has led to high TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) levels,” he said.

Earlier,Akshay Bector,Managing Director,Mrs Bector’s Food Specialties and Vice-Chairman of CII Punjab State Council,said there was a need to create low-cost hostels or labour colonies under the PPP model for factory workers who live in slums that have sprung up on government and private spaces.

Harpal Singh accepted the industry’s concerns and suggestions and assured to chalk out an action plan for implementation of the developmental initiatives.