Lahore: Cantt board ignoring Eden residents’ anger

[Naveed Yaseen]

Cantt board ignoring Eden residents’ anger: Yet another road not looked after

* Residents say ‘fix the road or we’ll fix you’
* Say hard to find patch of road without potholes
* Walton Cantt Board senior engineer claims he has not received any complaints

By Rana Kashif

LAHORE: Cantonment Board authorities are ignoring complaints filed by residents of Eden Cottages regarding the repair of the only road that leads to the locality, Daily Times learnt on Friday.

The condition of the road has deteriorated to a point where craters have formed on the road, and during the rainy season, the road collects pools of water that impede the passage of cars and create a breeding ground for flies and mosquitoes. The residents of the area claim that they have filed numerous written complaints, as well as making visits to the Cantonment Board office, to no avail.

Protest: The residents of Eden Cottages told Daily Times that they were facing extreme difficulties because the road approaching their homes was in despair. They demanded that the authorities resolve the problem without delay, saying that if the issue was not resolved, they would hold a protest outside the Cantonment Board office.

Eden Cottages Welfare Society President Muhammad Hashim Khan Rokhri told Daily Times that it would be difficult to imagine the problems they faced on their way home. He said that the affected road was Street No-4, which passes through Iqbal Park in the Walton Cantt area and was the only way to Eden Cottages and other neighbouring societies. He also said that the road had been constructed without a drainage system, which allowed the water to accumulate, and further damaged the road. He added that the sewerage system of the adjoining localities, like Iqbal Park, remain choked throughout the year, particularly during rain. This aids in the accumulation of filthy water in those craters, which helps the breeding of mosquitoes and flies. He claimed that they had filed written complaints on numerous occasions, however, no action had been taken yet.

Potholes: Another resident, Fareed Siddiqui, said: “I am unable to understand what enmity we have with the authorities concerned, which is causing our complaints to be ignored.” He said that reaching his home using the damaged road was ‘an expedition’ as he was unable to find a patch of road where the vehicle did not hit a pothole. He also said that although it was a residential area, the road leading to his home had been commercialised, adding, “The pedestrians and those driving cannot use the road when there are loaded vehicles like pick up vans and mini trucks supplying different commodities to shops.” He claimed that they had filed numerous complaints with the authorities, which had apparently been ignored. He demanded that since Street-No-4 was the only way leading to the locality, it should be repaired without delay to facilitate those paying huge taxes and to save children from diseases, which were being spread by the flies and mosquitoes breeding in the stagnant pools of water on the road.

Other residents, including senior bank official Khawar Niazi, retired judge Rai Zafar Bhatti, and advocate Jamil Akhtar demanded that the authorities immediately redress their problem, saying that living life in a dust free environment with a proper sewerage system and a smooth passage was their basic right. The residents also provided copies of the complaints filed with the Walton Cantt Board.

Complaints: A senior engineer of the Walton Cantt Board, Niaz Asghar, claimed, “Up until now I have not received any complaints regarding the issue in question. If i had received them the matter would have been resolved immediately.” He said that when a complaint is filed with him he immediately takes steps to resolve the issue.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...008_pg13_1