The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has set the stage for municipal elections in Punjab with its bold promises of development in Ludhiana and Amritsar. AAP’s Punjab unit president and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora on Sunday announced five “guarantees” each aimed at tackling pressing urban issues in both the cities — signaling a transformative vision for their future.
For the industrial town of Ludhiana, AAP has outlined five key guarantees aimed at transforming the city, with prime being cleaning and revitalizing the polluted ‘Buddha Dariya’, ensuring 100 percent clean drinking water for every household, and addressing pollution through the introduction of 100 electric buses with supporting infrastructure. AAP also promised a permanent solution to waterlogging and poor sewerage management by covering the entire city with modern drainage systems. Additionally, AAP aimed at eliminating waste dumps and implement an efficient waste management system, along with enhancing road infrastructure to ease traffic congestion.
AAP, for the holy city of Amritsar, has committed to introducing 100 electric buses to combat pollution, constructing a Rs 100 crore Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) to address the city’s sewage issues, and ensuring a 100 percent clean drinking water supply for all households. They also plan to provide affordable housing for the poor by expanding municipal and government colonies and address the long-standing problem of the Tung Bhai Bala drain.
Amritsar: AAP’s Promise for Clean and Green City
AAP's campaign in Amritsar focuses on creating a cleaner, greener, and more inclusive city. Arora pledged five key guarantees, with a commitment to kickstart projects from the first day after an AAP mayor assumes office.
Among the standout initiatives is the introduction of 100 electric buses to combat pollution and easing public transportation woes. Depots and charging stations will support this eco-friendly fleet, while expanded parking facilities, including a five-acre site in Jahajgarh and an upgraded Saragarhi parking area, will address vehicular congestion.
Arora also highlighted the construction of a Rs 100 crore Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) with a 50 MLD capacity to resolve Amritsar’s chronic sewage problems, promising to eliminate sewage-related grievances and ensure efficient wastewater management.
Access to “clean drinking water” was emphasized as a fundamental right, with AAP pledging uninterrupted supply for every household. Plans for groundwater conservation further underline the party’s focus on sustainability.
Affordable housing for economically weaker sections also featured prominently in the party’s agenda. Arora assured the expansion of municipal and government housing under the Amritsar Improvement Trust, promising a dignified life for the underprivileged.
“These are not mere promises but firm guarantees,” Arora said, reiterating AAP's track record of fulfilling commitments in Delhi and Punjab.
Ludhiana: Focus on Pollution, Improving Infra
In Ludhiana, AAP’s guarantees focused on tackling pollution, improving infrastructure, and revitalizing the city’s neglected assets. The cleaning and revitalization of the ‘Buddha Dariya’, an iconic river reduced to a polluted drain, is a centerpiece of the campaign. Arora pledged a comprehensive cleaning project to restore its ecological balance and natural beauty, alongside measures to stop industrial waste discharge.
Like Amritsar, AAP also announced plans to launch 100 electric buses in Ludhiana, supported by charging infrastructure, as part of its strategy to combat pollution and modernize public transport.
Access to clean drinking water is another guarantee, with AAP committing to a 100 percent contamination-free supply system. Arora emphasized the importance of upgrading water infrastructure to ensure consistent and safe access across the city.
Addressing Ludhiana’s perennial issues of waterlogging and poor sewerage, AAP proposed 100 percent sewerage coverage, and advanced drainage systems. These measures aim to provide a permanent solution to flooding and sanitation challenges during monsoons.
Waste management is another priority, with Arora guaranteeing the transformation of garbage dumps into usable spaces. AAP plans to implement comprehensive waste systems to maintain a clean and garbage-free city.
Traffic congestion, a bane for Ludhiana’s residents, will be tackled through modern infrastructure. Plans include building four new bus stands and upgrading key roads to streamline traffic flow. “These guarantees are not just election promises but well-planned, people-centric solutions,” Arora assured, highlighting the party’s consultative approach in developing its vision.
