Ludhiana: Few places in the industrial city of Ludhiana offered people a lush green getaway like Sidhwan canal waterfront once did. For residents of Sarabha Nagar and nearby areas, it was once a place for walks and yoga sessions in the inviting greens. Today, the stretch lies desolate, with sand covering large swathes. Walkers have all but disappeared.The situation worsened after water supply lines were laid beneath the waterfront a couple of months ago as part of the surface water supply project. While the area was supposed to be restored after the work, residents say the damaged stretch has been left unattended.Ironically, the waterfront project won an award in Aug 2022 for its landscaping and beautification work along the Sidhwan Canal under the Smart City Mission. The award was conferred by the Smart Cities Council India.The Rs 5.2 crore project was aimed at improving the environment and green cover, creating social infrastructure and making optimum use of leftover land along the canal. Conceptualised and executed under the Smart City Mission, the project started on Aug 28, 2019, and was completed on Nov 30, 2020. It covered a 1,100-metre-long stretch, with a width of 20-22 metres.A BRS Nagar resident, Inderpal Singh, said, “There was a time when special yoga sessions were held early in the morning and residents used to enjoy the morning vibes here. Now, things have changed. We can understand if water supply pipelines had to be laid, but the area should have been restored immediately afterwards.”He said while authorities wait for roads to settle after sewer or water supply works, restoring the waterfront’s green cover should not require much time. He also claimed that residents now avoid the stretch, with only a few people visiting it, and recalled incidents of theft in the area.An MC official said a private firm was responsible for restoring green belts and parks affected by such works. The official said the firm had started clearing wild growth along the green belt from Dugri to Pakhowal Road, after which fresh plantation would be carried out. The firm has also been directed to restore the affected stretch along the waterfront, the official added.Neglected canal edge to award-winning waterfront2019: Ludhiana Smart City Ltd began developing the Sidhwan Canal stretch under the Smart City Mission.2020: The Rs 5.21-crore project was completed, covering a 1,100-metre stretch and adding landscaping, green cover and spaces for walking and recreation.2022: The project received an award from Smart Cities Council India for waterfront development, landscaping and beautification.Later: The waterfront emerged as a popular space for morning walkers, yoga sessions and other recreational activities.2026: Water supply pipeline work beneath the stretch disturbed the landscaped area. Residents say the promised restoration has not been carried out, leaving much of the waterfront covered in sand and reducing its use.
