Punjab elections: Poor infra roads, waterlogging emerge key issues for Khanna

KHANNA: Apart from the fact that it’s going to witness multicornered contest due to new political alliances with the new parties coming into fray, many of which are yet to declare their candidates, what will make the fight in Khanna a keenly watched contest is that at present it’s being represented by a sitting minister.
Gurkirat Singh Kotli, minister of industries and commerce, information technology, science and technology, is two-time MLA from Khanna assembly seat.
History shows that the assembly seat swings between Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), both the parties winning the seat every alternative term since 1969, especially till 2017. But with new political parties now in the contest, the uncertainty over the results has increased.
According to him, a rough estimate, of around 1.70 lakh voters, about 65,000 voters are from rural area and urban area has more than 90,000 voters. This suggests that even as urban voters are more, but rural voters comprise substantial percentage and can prove to be an important factor in deciding the winner.
Voters’ speak
Harsh Kumar Bhalla, a social activist from Khanna: There are many issues in Khanna including water logging during rainy season, pot holes, stray cattle, encroachment on the road, and proper handling of garbage. He added that even as there is a park in the city but women cannot go there as it is den of gamblers and addicts.
Surjeet Singh, a resident of Lalheri road area: We have been facing issue of water logging and bad roads in our area for more than a decade now. Every year whenever there is rain, our area literally becomes a pond and water even enters some houses. We have been waiting for better roads and proper water drainage especially during rains for long now and these are main issues for us.
Politicians’ take
Cabinet minister Gurkirat Singh Kotli: We have addressed the water logging issue and sewerage treatment plant (STP) is ready. Earlier, we had two motors that would pump out water from city but now we have six motors and four are used to drain out water in case of water logging. So far, as condition of service lane is concerned, it is with NHAI and I have asked them to repair it and they have assured me. Also, the work on Lalheri road is going on slowly and I have asked the concerned contractor to speed up the work. So far as encroachment is concerned, it is a big problem and our next government will bring in vendor policy to address the issue.