Sector 65 Market Infrastructure in Complete Disarray Despite Crores Invested
The prime commercial belt of Sector 65 in Phase 11, Mohali, presents a distressing picture of civic neglect that has left traders and visitors grappling with daily hardships. Located opposite the dispensary and community centre, covering SCF 85 to 106 and 107 to 130 beyond, this bustling market area has become synonymous with infrastructure failure and administrative apathy.
Failed Drainage Project and Crumbling Roads
Local shopkeepers have revealed shocking details about a drainage project that consumed crores of rupees but delivered zero results. Despite being marked as a "no vending zone", the area now stands as a testament to mismanagement and incomplete development work. Traders allege that after laying the drainage pipeline intended for rainwater disposal, authorities merely filled the road temporarily without any permanent restoration.
The consequences have been severe and multifaceted:
- Even light rainfall transforms the entire stretch into a virtual pond
- Mud, potholes, and broken road surfaces create accident-prone conditions
- Two-wheeler riders frequently skid and fall on the treacherous surface
- Cars and delivery vehicles often get stuck midway through the market
- At several locations, the road has completely caved in
- Drainage pipes appear incomplete or disconnected, causing stagnant water
Traders' Plight and Business Impact
The deteriorating conditions have created a perfect storm of problems for local businesses. Rakesh Kumar, a shopkeeper in the area, expressed his frustration: "After even a mild spell of rain, customers are unable to reach our shops. Several people have slipped and suffered injuries due to waterlogging and slush, directly affecting our business."
Another trader, Anil Kumar, highlighted the persistent nature of the problem: "After the recent rainfall, water remained stagnant for several days. The drainage pipeline appears incomplete, and the very purpose of the project has failed."
Mithu, another shopkeeper, pointed to the unfinished nature of the work: "After laying the pipeline, the road was left open. The unfinished work has only worsened the situation."
The business impact has been substantial, with reduced customer footfall and daily operations severely hampered by the poor infrastructure. Traders emphasize that despite paying regular rent and taxes, they are forced to operate under continuously deteriorating conditions.
Administrative Inaction and Failed Promises
Repeated complaints submitted to the Mohali Municipal Corporation have yielded no concrete action, creating growing resentment among the trading community. The traders note with particular frustration that while encroachment removal drives are being carried out swiftly in other parts of the city, basic civic infrastructure in Phase 11 continues to be ignored.
The situation reached a point where Mohali Municipal Corporation Mayor Amarjit Singh Sidhu recently convened a meeting with officials of the Public Health Department and the Municipal Corporation. During this meeting, clear instructions were issued to complete the pipeline work and restore the road to resolve traders' primary concerns.
However, when contacted about the lack of progress, Mayor Sidhu expressed his own dissatisfaction: "Despite holding a meeting, no action is being taken by the officials. This is unacceptable. Shopkeepers of Phase 11 are trapped in a serious problem, yet the officials are unwilling to carry out the work. The government must take action against such officers."
Demands for Immediate Intervention
The trading community of Sector 65 has put forth clear demands for resolution:
- Immediate administrative intervention to address the crisis
- Proper and permanent road repair to ensure safe passage
- Complete restoration of the drainage system to prevent waterlogging
- Accountability for the failed drainage project that consumed crores
- Regular maintenance and monitoring of civic infrastructure
The situation in Sector 65 serves as a stark reminder of how infrastructure projects can fail when proper execution and follow-up are lacking. As water continues to stagnate and roads remain broken, the traders' distress grows daily, waiting for the promised intervention that seems perpetually delayed.
