The roads in the city remain a commuters' nightmare due to the potholes, but are certainly driving a wedge in the SAD-BJP relationship in the district and the municipal corporation House.
Alleging large-scale corruption in road construction and repair under the tenure of BJP mayor Sunil Jyoti, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief parliamentary Secretary (CPS) and Adampur MLA, Pawan Tinu, has written a letter to chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal, demanding an immediate vigilance inquiry into road construction and recarpeting projects.
In a series of reports, HT has been highlighted the poor condition of roads.
"Just ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, barely 10 months ago, Rs 30 crore was spent on the construction of city roads. Today, all major roads have developed potholes and city residents' commute remains a nightmare. The carpeting was been sub-standard for some time and the corruption in the civic body stands exposed," Tinu's letter states.
He added that councillors in the MC House must rise above party lines and ensure that funds meant for roads was utilised properly.
{{/usCountry}}He added that councillors in the MC House must rise above party lines and ensure that funds meant for roads was utilised properly.
{{/usCountry}}"The state government's image has taken a hit due to the potholed roads. The vigilance department must inquire into the irregularities," he said.
SAD MLA from Jalandhar Cantonment Pargat Singh, major areas in whose constituency like the Model Town and the Geeta Mandir have more potholes than clean road surface has also demanded action against contractors and the officials involved in carpeting of roads.
"It is shocking that roads developed three months back have started breaking up. We need to punish and expose those who built the road and also the civic body officials, who passed the road. We need strict action and corrupt officials must not be protected. I will raise this issue in the Vidhan Sabha," said Pargat.