The Indian Express               19.06.2013

No digging of roads till monsoon is over: Mayor to telecom cos

Congress councillors during a meeting with Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria in Ludhiana on Monday

Passing crucial orders for safety of residents, Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria on Monday evening said that "no digging of roads for putting wires should be done by telecom companies for two months till monsoon is not over".

The decision is crucial as a 80-foot crater was created in Kitchlu Nagar in the first pre-monsoon rain a few days back. Digging by a private company in Kitchlu Nagar is being seen as a reason for the road cave-in. MC officials told the Mayor that wires of a telecom company were found during the repair work of the crater at Kitchlu Nagar.

Confirming the development, Gohalwaria told Ludhiana Newsline, "I have directed telecom companies to stop digging work till monsoon is not over." The mayor is learnt to have shot off letters to the telecom companies in this regard.

At another meeting earlier in the day at the Zone A office, the Mayor met 29 councillors (Independent and from Congress) who complained of pending works and demanded fastest action. The councillors also demanded that a house meeting be held as soon as possible so that issues concerning general public could be raised.

Congress spokesperson Parminder Mehta said, "The problem is MC officials do not pay heed to what councillors say. We want them to be accountable."