As civic chief & BJP members spar in Loni, Rs 100cr projects take a hit
Ghaziabad: Development projects worth over Rs 100 crore in Loni have been stalled amid a deepening political rift between Loni Nagar Palika chairperson Ranjeeta Dhama and the ruling dispensation.
The delay, attributed to tenders not being opened, has mounted frustration among residents, who claim basic civic works, including fixing potholes on roads and cleaning clogged sewer lines, remain unfinished ahead of the monsoon.
Dhama has accused officials within the Loni Nagar Palika of deliberately withholding approvals under political pressure. "There is a section of public representatives who cannot tolerate development work because it does not suit their political agenda," she said.
Dhama staged a two-day protest last week, demanding that tenders be opened, and claimed she received an assurance that the process would soon resume.
Caught in the crossfire are thousands of residents. "It's been more than four months, and nothing has moved," said Net Ram, a resident of Ward 20.
"We were promised road and sewer repairs, but with monsoon just days away, we will have to wade through waterlogged streets this year too."
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Ajay Choudhary, a resident of DLF Ankur Vihar, echoed the sentiment. "There is clearly a political tug-of-war going on. The chairperson and the MLA are trying to outdo each other, and we are the ones suffering."
Loni, a dense and largely rural township bordering north Delhi, has long struggled with crumbling infrastructure, waterlogging, and overflowing drains. Its two main urban pockets — DLF Ankur Vihar and DLF Ved Vihar — face frequent complaints about clogged sewers, poor sanitation, and encroachment.
MLA Nand Kishore Gurjar denied interfering in Nagar Palika affairs. "I do not meddle in the Palika's functioning," he said. "If work is stalled, the chairperson must answer why. She herself is facing allegations of financial mismanagement, and some councillors are opposed to her leadership."
The administrative head of the civic body, executive officer KK Mishra, confirmed the delay but attributed it to procedural issues.
"Some technicalities held up the tender process. We are addressing those and hope to begin work soon," he said. When asked about Dhama's allegations of political interference, he declined to comment.
Dhama, once a BJP member, won the chairperson's post on an SP-RLD alliance ticket after defeating BJP-backed Pushpa Pradhan. Since her defection, tensions between her and the MLA have simmered, with the current impasse visibly stalling Loni's development.
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