GUJRAT: The carpeting work started on at least three roads in the city has caused concern among the residents of nearby areas, who apprehend that it will further raise the ground level as compared to the adjoining streets, creating issues like rainwater accumulation in their localities, especially in monsoon.

The carpeting of Alipura Road and Qamar Sialvi Road has been launched a couple of days back by the highways department.

Both the roads were constructed by laying concrete slabs around six years ago, and according to the traders and residents of these localities, there was no need of carpeting as these were in good condition.

A shopkeeper doing business on Alipura Road says whenever the level of these roads is raised, it results in accumulation of more rainwater in the adjoining streets where shops and houses get inundated in monsoon.

He alleges that such unplanned “development” work also damages people’s properties and sewerage in the area.

Another resident of the area says, seeking anonymity, says that the last time when the road was built with concrete slabs, its level got raised as compared to the streets in the areas where rainwater already accumulates.

He apprehended that the situation would further aggravate during the next monsoon as areas around Alipura Road witness massive urban flooding in the rainy season.

He lamented that this issue has considerably brought down the rates of commercial as well as residential properties in the area. He condemned the policy of raising the roads’ level to divert the rainwater to low-lying streets in the area already facing urban flooding.

Meanwhile, official sources say that a portion of Rehman Shaheed Road, from Usman Plaza to Kutchehry Chowk, may also be carpeted during the next week.

They say that the highways department had started carpeting of these roads of the city using funds saved in different projects.

However, PML-Q Gujrat city president Ali Abrar Jaura claimed that the carpeting of roads was being with the funds arranged by Punjab Minister for Industries Shafay Hussain to beautify the area.He added that under the scheme, the open drains in the area would also be repaired and tuff tiles would be installed on both sides of Alipura and Qamar Sialvi roads.

He said that the work on the rehabilitation of Bhimbher Road in the city had also been started, whereas funds for the reconstruction of Rehman Shaheed Road from Servis Mor to Boley bridge has been approved by the Punjab government.

Asif Khatak, executive engineer of the highways department, did not respond to the calls and messages by this scribe.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2024