Chohla Sahib in dire need of infra overhaul
Chohla Sahib, a village blessed by two Sikh Gurus, Guru Arjun Dev and Guru Hargobind, serves as a block headquarter. It houses several state government offices, a police station and a sub-tehsil. Considering its population, the village was granted the status of a Nagar Panchayat in 1992 during the tenure of former Chief Minister Beant Singh. However, this status was later withdrawn following local opposition, primarily due to fears of octroi (local tax) imposition.
At present, Chohla Sahib has evolved into a central hub for numerous nearby villages. With a population of over 20,000 and spread across more than 7,000 acres, as stated by Kewal Kumar, the village Sarpanch, the village is grappling with multiple critical issues, foremost among them, a flawed sewerage system.
According to Sarpanch Kewal Kumar, villagers Darshan Singh, Karnail Singh and Rupinder Kumar, the system has caused more harm than good since its inception. Waste from the sewerage was initially discharged into a nearby canal distributor, in clear violation of pollution control norms. Despite this, officials from the Punjab Pollution Control Board, the Irrigation Department and the civil administration failed to take any corrective measures for years, leading to continued environmental degradation.
Farmers using water from the polluted canal repeatedly raised concerns, but these too were ignored. Recently, residents of nearby villages managed to block the illegal discharge pipe, stopping the sewage flow into the canal. However, the sewage is now being diverted to forest department’s land near the road, where it stagnates, emitting foul smell and worsening public health conditions.
The sarpanch revealed that he has written numerous letters to authorities concerned but he has not received any meaningful response so far. He pointed out that the sewerage pipes have never been cleaned since their installation, resulting in regular blockages. The residents lamented that these blockages cause wastewater to backflow into homes, spill into open drains and flood village streets, creating unhygienic conditions.
Contributing factors to these recurring blockages include improper disposal of “flushable” products, degradation of old pipes, collapsed sewer lines and malfunctioning pumping stations. The sarpanch, affiliated with AAP, has raised the issue with the local MLA. He said renovating the sewerage system would require funding between Rs 5 to 6 crore, a cost the government and concerned departments currently find difficult to bear.
Meanwhile, village life continues to suffer. Ponds are overflowing and choked with water hyacinth. Household wastewater drains remain clogged, leading to regular overflows. Garbage piles up on roadsides and near ponds.
Additionally, link roads connecting Chohla Sahib to Gandiwind, Khara, Ruriwala, Chamba Kalan, Kambo, Dhunn Dhai Wala and other nearby villages are in a deteriorated state since years.
Further, a dispute between the Block Panchayat Samiti and the Market Committee has stalled the development of vital infrastructure in the local Dana Mandi (grain market). The Mandi lacks a boundary wall, making it prone to theft during the harvesting season.
Amritsar