Mired in civic mess, voters vent ire on netas in Patna

PATNA: Political chit-chats can be heard at every nook and corner in Patna where assembly elections will be held in the second phase in eight assembly constituencies – Bankipur, Danapur, Digha, Fatuha, Kumhrar, Maner, Patna Sahib and Phulwari – on November 3.
Residents are having long talks on local issues in their constituencies. The talks centre around the civic problems like waterlogging, drainage system, garbage dumping, narrow lanes, dug-up roads and traffic congestion.
Vijay Choudhary (46), a resident of Mahendru (Ram Sahay Lane) said there are several local issues in Kumhrar which the common people have to face in their day-to-day life. “Few months back, the road at Mahendru was dug up by the civic body for construction of drainage line. Later, the road was once again dug up for laying of gas pipeline. Now, work on metro rail project is in progress in the area. The condition of the road has gone from bad to worse, but no one is bothered,” he said.
Thirty-year-old Aditya Pathak has made up his mind to press NOTA in the assembly elections. “No candidate in the race is capable of solving the perennial problems people face in Saguna Mor locality. The place where I live remains submerged in drain water throughout the year. The roads stink because of the filth as no one collects the garbage,” said Pathak, a resident of New Mainpura Road.
Kusum Lata (37), a Danapur assembly constituency voter, said, “I don’t even know the name of the sitting MLA because the person never comes to the locality. Last year, when the residents faced waterlogging, the MLA did not bother to help them.”
Lata, a resident of Lekha Nagar, said waterlogging and garbage dumping are the perennial problems for the people living on Khagaul Road.
Saket Suman (29), who lives in Fatuha, said when one compares the urban Patna with rural, lack of development would be clearly visible. “We do not even have proper roads and basic infrastructure at several areas in Fatuha,” she said.
“Movement of trucks on Digha Road cause traffic congestion. Open construction is also a problem, especially during winter when the pollution level soars,” said Alok Kumar, a resident of Fairfield Colony.
Meanwhile, the candidates for the eight seats are busy campaigning for the polls.