Ludhiana, March 30 -- The municipal corporation's internal survey has identified 26 "critical" wards in Ludhiana for priority sewerage intervention, but the proposed works have come under scrutiny amid questions over tender terms, with rate contracts extending to two years despite tenders being issued for one year.

Officials said the local bodies department had floated tenders for desilting as well as repair and maintenance of sewerage lines for a one-year period, aimed at addressing frequent complaints of sewer blockages, overflow and damaged pipelines across several parts of the city, particularly in densely populated and low-lying areas. However, the rate contracts finalised under the same process have been fixed for two years, prompt...