The District Congress Committee (Urban), Karnal on Thursday protested at the Mini Secretariat to raise their voice over several civic issues including inadequate health services, poor road conditions, traffic management, slow pace of elevated flyovers and hardships being faced after the inclusion in the National Capital Region (NCR). The committee handed over a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner Dr Anand Kumar Sharma to press their demands.
Parag Gaba, president, District Congress Committee (Urban), said that the purpose of this protest was aimed at conveying concerns of the city’s residents to the administration and seeking prompt action on issues affecting their lives.
Interacting with the media, Gaba alleged that despite repeated claims of development, residents continue to struggle for basic civic amenities.
“People are being forced to travel on damaged roads with deep and multiple potholes. Patients are running from one hospital to another for proper treatment and there is no permanent solution to problems faced by the public. Citizens need visible development on the ground, not just promises,” he said.
He alleged the absence of the life-saving treatments compel critically ill-patients to seek treatment at private hospitals, leading to financial, physical and mental burden. Gaba also demanded that vacant posts of doctors, nursing staff and other health workers should be filled at the earliest and that uninterrupted electricity supply and backup generators should be ensured at the District Civil Hospital to avoid any risk to patients.
The Congress delegation comprising Gaba along with Manoj Wadhwa, Om Parkash Saluja, Jeet Ram Kashyap, Nischey Sohi, Joginder Valmii, youth district president Rajat Lather, and others, also sought a comprehensive survey and reconstruction of damaged roads across the city, particularly a road stretch between Shaheed Udham Singh Chowk and Meerut road.
They demanded the early completion of two elevated flyovers being constructed on single-pillar technique, a permanent solution to waterlogging beneath the under construction flyovers, and improved safety measures at the Railway Road.
Gaba said that while they support discipline and adherence to traffic rules, however, opposed action against ordinary people in the name of enforcement due to the inclusion of Karnal in the NCR.
Gaba alleged that heavy traffic challans, vehicle impounding and financial penalties were adding to the burden of traders, shopkeepers and middle-class families already facing economic challenges.
The Congress leaders also raised concerns over the existing driving license process, alleging that the testing procedure had become complicated, resulting in repeated failures and delays in obtaining licences.