Residents unhappy with Smart City Mission projects in Ludhiana West constituency.

Ludhiana: As the Ludhiana West assembly byelection approaches on June 19, residents are voicing growing frustration over the city's much-touted Smart City mission, claiming key projects have failed to deliver on promises and left persistent problems unresolved.
The West constituency, a focal point for Smart City initiatives, was selected early for major upgrades after strong voter turnout in initial polling rounds. Projects such as the Malhar Road beautification, Sarabha Nagar rejuvenation, and the Pakhowal Road railway overbridge (ROB/RUB) were launched with fanfare. However, locals say traffic congestion and poor planning continue to plague the area. "The original concept for Malhar Road was to create a smart road with dedicated bicycle tracks and walkways," said Manjit Singh, a Sarabha Nagar resident.
"Instead, officials allowed parking for showroom owners on the road, ignoring residents' suggestions and missing the real issues."
Shivani Sharma, from Model Town, echoed the sentiment, saying residents were kept in the dark about project plans. "Had authorities shared project designs publicly, we could have contributed ideas. Faulty designs and poor execution have left us disillusioned with the smart city mission," she said.
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A senior municipal corporation official, speaking on condition of anonymity, blamed political interference for derailing initial plans. He said much of the smart city funding was diverted to other projects, including Buddha Dariya rejuvenation, school construction, and new water supply lines. "If we had stuck to the original plans, the city would look very different today," he said.
Meanwhile, political parties are locked in a battle for credit.
The BJP highlights the central govt's role, the Shiromani Akali Dal claims credit for Ludhiana's selection, and Congress and Aam Aadmi Party leaders make claims about their roles in executing projects. But none are willing to accept responsibility for the shortcomings, leaving municipal officials to face public criticism.
Residents in other parts of Ludhiana have also raised concerns, alleging that the West constituency received preferential treatment under the smart city mission, despite already being relatively well-developed. They point to disparities such as the rapid reconstruction of a bridge at Sidhwan Canal in Sarabha Nagar, completed in two months, compared to a decade-long delay for a similar project over Buddha Nullah in the North constituency.
With the bypoll looming, the city's smart city mission has become a flashpoint, highlighting both the promise and pitfalls of urban renewal in one of Punjab's largest cities.
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