Patna, Jan. 6: Clogged drains and garbage heaps that residents of Transport Nagar are familiar with could soon be a thing of the past. Bright streetlamps and smooth roads could become their future.

Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) has a plan up its sleeves to gift better civic amenities to the locality that has been neglected for years.

Sources in the corporation said in a recent meeting of the PMC board, administrative approval was given to repair roads and construct a drainage system in the colony extending from Kankerbagh to New Bypass.

“In the first phase, we will take care of the roads and the sewerage system. Tenders worth Rs 71 lakh will soon be floated for these work. The second phase will focus on street lighting and water supply connection,” said a civic official.

Residents, however, were not convinced by the assurances.

They complained that the corporation has neglected them for too long

“We are expected to pay due taxes to PMC but what have they done for us in the past 20 years since this colony was established? The roads are in a shambles and there is no proper drainage system in the area. Streetlights are of course a dream,” complained Shambhu Sharan Singh, a resident of Transport Nagar.

Krishna Chaudhary, who resides in the same locality, said even garbage disposal was a major issue for the locality. “We have always had a problem with garbage disposal and water supply connections. Empty plots in the area have all turned into waste dumping yards. Basic civic amenities in all the roads and streets in Transport Nagar is a distant dream,” he added.

Many of the colony residents also feel their needs have been ignored as civic authorities take interest only in new projects.

“The government puts so much stress on opening parks and malls in the city but a colony like ours is in a shambles. After all these years, PMC is waking up to the needs of the people. Even now, we are sceptical on how much would actually happen,” said Ekta Shekhar, a homemaker who lives in road number one of the area.

She added: “There are huge craters on the road. We cannot step out of our homes during rains because of waterlogging. Now that PMC has thought of carrying out some repairs in our colony, we hope things will change for good.”

The civic body has promised to fulfil the hopes of Ekta and her neighbours.

PMC commissioner Pankaj Kumar Pal promised to change the face of the locality.

“Residents will feel the difference in a few months. We have a very comprehensive plan to develop the basic civic amenities in Transport Nagar,” he claimed.