Bandala, one of the oldest and most culturally rich villages of Amritsar district, has been facing serious civic issues due to neglect by the administration.
Despite its large size, the village continues to lag behind in basic infrastructure and civic amenities.
Spread across 12 pattis with nearly 10 panchayats, Bandala is considered a major rural settlement. However, residents said that essential facilities like sanitation and sewerage were missing or poorly managed.
There is no proper system for drainage of wastewater in the village. Ponds (chhappers) are filled with dirty water and sewage from open drains often overflows into the streets, creating unhygienic conditions for the residents. Large heaps of garbage can be seen on both sides of the roads.
Villagers allege that despite government grants being released from time to time, development has not taken place on ground. Many internal streets are in poor condition, while main roads connecting the village to nearby areas are broken and damaged.
Sukhdev Singh, a local, said a stagnant pool of dirty water outside a school reflected the poor state of development in the village. "It is unfortunate that children have to pass through such conditions every day," he added.
Resident Harpreet Singh pointed out that roads leading towards the city were in a dilapidated state, and garbage remained scattered in the streets. "There is no regular cleaning system and the situation worsens during rains," he added.
Residents have demanded immediate attention from the authorities, urging them to improve sanitation, repair roads and ensure proper use of development funds. They said a village with such a rich historical background deserves better infrastructure and basic civic amenities.