Punjab Local Government Minister Ravjot Singh made a surprise visit to Baltana in Zirakpur on Thursday morning to understand the problems locals face due to flooding during monsoons.
The minister inspected the Baltana bridge over the Sukhna choe, where locals have been dumping garbage, cow dung, plastic, and even old furniture into the water stream. This waste buildup clogs the choe and causes flooding in nearby areas when it rains.
Resident Swaranjit Kaur said, “Every year, the entire area floods. The police post, local park, and even the cremation ground go underwater because of the blocked choe. It becomes very difficult for us.”
Taking the issue seriously, the minister directed Municipal Council (MC) officials to issue notices to those dumping waste in the choe and nearby common lands (shamlat land).
Singh said, “We’re committed to meeting people, listening to their concerns, and taking steps to solve the issues. Since this area gets flooded every rainy season, we’re taking early preventive steps along with local MLA Kuljit Singh Randhawa and MC officials.”
Locals also pointed out that the Baltana-Panchkula road, which runs over the choe, is the only major route for school buses, office-goers, and traders, making the situation even more critical.
While the Chandigarh administration has started cleaning the Sukhna choe, Punjab’s Drainage and Mining departments have not yet begun de-silting. The rivulet is still filled with silt, weeds, and illegal encroachments, which worsen the flooding.
Earlier this month, on May 14, the Punjab government started work on a new 100-meter-long bridge to replace the old causeway in Baltana. However, construction is expected to take about a year.
The Sukhna choe is an important seasonal water stream that carries excess rainwater from Sukhna Lake, flows through Chandigarh areas like Kishangarh and Daria, enters Baltana, and finally merges into the Ghaggar river.
Locals now hope that with the minister’s visit and growing attention to the issue, concrete action will follow before the monsoon arrives.
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