Ferozepur at a glance…
A border town – Ferozepur came into existence in 14th century has given birth to 4 new districts – Moga, Faridkot, Fazilka and Muktsar. There was a time when Ferozepur used to be known as one of the biggest district of Punjab but now it falls in the category of backward and small districts being ignored by the governments.
Ferozepur is now only of the name of Ferozepur. Still the buildings with beautifully architect view of British time are seen in this city at certain places. The city of 12 Gates, – Delhi, Mori, Bagdadi, Zira, Makhu, Kasuri, Amritsari, Multani – said to be a walled city, is now gateless except with the existence of one Bagdadi Gate.
Out of five Cinemas – Shimla, Raja, Amar, Joshi and Memorial – except one Amar Talkies with old furniture, no maintenance – all have closed down. In this cinema, too the picture is shown with dim-light putting a strain on eyes and most of the films are displayed with A Certificates. Hardly any hi-fi or gentry is seen the hall and sometime only 4-5 persons. Most of the time, movie-lovers have to go to the adjoining districts like Moga, Faridkot where PVRs are available. The work on multiplex PVR is also held up.
From business point of view, this city is quite backward. The old businessmen are running well but none dares to invest in new establishment. The interesting point is that most of the people have shifted their business to other cities after 1984.
Traffic on roads have increased and to control it, the district administration has tried by installing the traffic lights at the busy crossings but it will take time to used to the new system.
With the coming up of District Administrative Complex, the space available with the demolition of old buildings has been ear-marked temporarily for ‘Parking’ to control the rush of vehicles in the interiors of the city with narrow bazaars. This will also facilitate the mobility of fire brigade in the event of any fire mishap.
Despite the city having no big shopping mall or hotel or restaurant, the land prices is sky rocketing.
With the demarcation of new municipal wards, the city is dividing in 25 wards now but people are still deprived of basic amenities with major one of drinking water and sewerage.
So far as health services are concerned, more than 60 per cent posts of doctors are lying vacant in civil hospital and its dispensaries. Recently, the PGI Satellite Centre sanctioned for the city, looks to be dream for the citizens because of non-coordination between Centre and State relations. People are dependent on private hospitals in case of emergency or have to rush to Ludhiana, Amritsar or Chandigarh.
Economically weak Municipal Council
The plight of Municipal Council is like “less income, high expenses” and is in debt of Rs.14crore which includes Rs.3.25 cr Provident Fund of employees, Rs.2.31 cr pension payable to retired employees, Rs.4.75 cr electricity bills and Rs.70 lakh payable to the contractors. Because of poor condition of the Council, none of the official is willing to be posted its head. Not only this, because of interference of Municipal Council and local leaders, Rs.1.20 cr could be recovered since long.
Plight of living in Cantonment area:
During the last Assembly elections, Parkash Singh Badal Chief Minister had announced the abolition of octroi but it is still to get official nod. There is registry of property in cantonment. Earlier it used to be for only dumped material which too has been stopped.
Pitiable condition of Govt.& Govt. Aided Schools: About 60 per cent posts of teachers are lying vacant in these schools. Because of wrong policy of government for banning the recruitment against the retirement of aided school teacher, a century old school – Hindu Girls School – in the city is almost at the verge of closure. Similarly will be the position of another school – Sikh Kanya Mahavidayala. Even the condition of MLM Sr. Sec. School where Parkash Singh Badal got childhood education is not so good. The grant to the aided schools is not regular. In the Govt. ITI for Girls, number of important posts are lying vacant.
For the last three years, the bridge which will connect Majha and Malwa has not been completed over Satluj Bridge from village Bandala to Kot Budha (Tarn Taran).The approximate construction cost is Rs.46.20 lac and it will take another one year. But it will prove a milestone in the history as it will reduce the distance between Ferozepur-Amritsar of about 40 minutes.
Ferozepur has not developed from tourist point of view. The only place to be visited is Indo-Pak border retreat ceremony but the places like Hussaniwala Shaheedi Samark, Saragarhi Gurudawara, Fatehgarh Sabhwaran, Mudki, Ferozeshah Memorial and secret hiding place of Bhagat Singh and his associates are still to have the attention of the government for their development. Old ancient memorials are being ignored by the government while new projects are given preferences to gain political wah wah.
The farmers near the zero line are yet to enjoy the benefits of the schemes to be given a practical shape. Hardly, you will find graduate pass boy or girl, in the border towns. No bank facilities in the remote areas, no animal husbandry hospitals in the villages and farmers cultivating land beyond the barbered wire hardly get any compensation and working time is also given as six hours. During 2004, a scheme to make the farmers owner of the land was also withdrawn and most of the families are doing the business of extraction of illicit liquor.
Details:
Population as per census in 2011 1,10191
Male 58,395
Female 51690
Civil Hospital One
Animals hospital One
Police Station City Cantt Sadar Three
ITI Boys One
ITI Girls One
Govt. Degree College Under Construction
Recognized Private Colleges Four
Govt. Sr.Sec. Schools Two
Govt. Aided Sr.Sec.Schools Nine
Govt.Primary Schools Twelve
Govt.Engineering College One
Pvt. Dental College One
Pvt. Engineering College Two
