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Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Swachh Survekshan 2024: After dismal 219 rank, Panchkula turns to Indore to clean up its act
Following a decline in the Swachh Survekshan 2024 ranking, the Panchkula municipal corporation (MC) is set to implement cleanliness models of Indore and of four other top-performing urban cities in the country. A senior MC officer confirmed that detailed reports from these cities have been requested to guide their new strategies. An MC official acknowledged that data collection for the assessment was flawed, with public questionnaires on cleanliness not accurately recorded. (Sant Arora/HT) Panchkula's ranking plummeted to 219th this time from 139th in 2023, as released by the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs. The MC is currently awaiting its detailed score breakdown from the Swachh Survekshan assessment to pinpoint specific areas for improvement. An MC official acknowledged that data collection for the assessment was flawed, with public questionnaires on cleanliness not accurately recorded. 'A significant 1,200 marks were directly deducted due to the absence of a waste-processing plant. Insufficient social media publicity for Swachh Survekshan also contributed to the low score,' the MC official added. Swachh Survekshan 2024: After dismal 219 rank, Panchkula turns to Indore to clean up its act Despite the numerical drop, an officer offered a nuanced perspective. The officer explained that in 2023, the city competed against 446 cities in the 1-3 lakh population category. This year, it was in the 50,000-3 lakh population category with 824 competing cities. Despite this increased competition, Panchkula secured 10% more marks (8,008 out of 12,500) compared to last year's 5,224 out of 9,500, suggesting an underlying improvement in performance. Major setback in waste collection and processing In the Swachh Survekshan, Panchkula had major setbacks under various categories. Report shows that door-to-door waste collection sharply fell from 99% in 2023 to 61% in 2024 and source segregation in the city plunged from 61% to just 20%. Waste processing efficiency also plummeted from 98% to 51%. Public toilet cleanliness declined from a perfect 100% to 50%. Cleanliness of residential areas also saw a slight dip from 99% to 88%. Raising his concerns, SK Nayar, president of the Citizens' Welfare Association, criticised the MC's waste management. He stated that the door-to-door garbage collection service is unsatisfactory and doesn't cater to the needs of vulnerable groups like seniors, patients, and those residing on upper floors. Nayar highlighted that MC staff often mix segregated waste, undermining residents' efforts. He further expressed alarm over the condition of public toilets in markets and parks, describing them as frequently locked, dirty, broken, or lacking water. HSVP asks MC to take over cleanliness of more sectors In a related development, the Haryana Shehari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) has formally requested the MC commissioner to accommodate its 32 employees and assume responsibility for the cleanliness of additional sectors, including those in the trans-Ghaggar area, Sector 31, and the MDC area. If the MC accepts this proposal, it could expand its cleanliness coverage. Presently, the sanitation work in these sectors is handled by HSVP. City ready for monsoon with cleaned drains, improved roads The Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority (PMDA) has announced comprehensive measures to tackle monsoon waterlogging and enhance city infrastructure. PMDA CEO K Makarand Pandurang stated that all city drains have been thoroughly cleaned, including major stormwater channels and roadside drains. He said that significant progress has also been made on road repairs, with 28 out of 32 sanctioned outer roads covering 21.72 km already completed. Additionally, a master plan for the city's entire rainwater drainage system is underway, and projects to upgrade 11 major parks and 19 green belts with new amenities are progressing. The PMDA has approved projects worth ₹251.17 crore for these various initiatives.
Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana MC commissioner served contempt notice by NGT over green belt encroachment
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a contempt notice to the municipal commissioner of Ludhiana and directed him to appear in person before the tribunal during the next hearing. The notice was issued in response to a contempt petition filed by members of the Public Action Committee (PAC), accusing the commissioner of failing to comply with the tribunal's earlier orders regarding restoration of green belt land in Sarabha Nagar and Model Town Extension. In July, the tribunal had directed the commissioner to restore the green belt areas and submit a compliance report. (HT Photo) The tribunal warned that if the commissioner fails to justify the non-compliance, he may face prosecution under Section 26 of the NGT Act, 2010. The bench also said that arrest and detention in civil prison and imposition of environmental compensation on the MC could be considered for the damage caused due to encroachments and delay in remediation. PAC members Kapil Arora and Vikas Arora said they had initially filed a case highlighting illegal construction by the MC on the green belt of Leisure Valley in Sarabha Nagar, including a Zone-D extension office and a scrap yard. They also raised the issue of encroachments in Model Town Extension. In July, the Tribunal had directed the commissioner to restore the green belt areas and submit a compliance report. However, the residents' body alleged that only partial demolition took place and the report submitted was incomplete, leading the bench to reopen the case. On January 13 this year, the tribunal had already warned that failure to implement its orders was punishable under the law and could lead to coercive action. PAC also informed that another contempt petition is pending before the tribunal against the construction of a library on park land at Dholewal Chowk, and orders in that case are awaited.
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Dog sterilisation resumes in Panchkula after a long halt
Panchkula: After months of delay due to bureaucratic hurdles, Panchkula's dog sterilisation programme has finally resumed. The initiative, crucial to managing the growing stray dog population, was suspended for several months after the previous contractor's agreement expired, and the Municipal Corporation (MC) failed to appoint a new agency on time. "A new agency has now been appointed and has been allotted the work for one year. But since this is the monsoon season, the programme is slow right now because healing takes time. After the monsoon, our campaign will pick up pace," said an officer of the Panchkula Municipal Corporation. The sterilisation programme, which earlier covered around 500 dogs per month, was abruptly stopped, leaving residents increasingly anxious. As per Mayor Kulbhushan Goyal, about 300 to 400 dog bite cases are reported per month in Panchkula. "We're surrounded by stray dogs, and the numbers are clearly increasing. It's frustrating that the MC didn't plan in advance to ensure there is no gap in the operation. The tendering process should have started well before the previous contract ended. Otherwise, all the efforts made in the past regarding sterilisation get affected," said SK Nayar, president, Citizens Welfare Association. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Are Watching Tariffs - Few Are Watching What Nvidia Just Launched Seeking Alpha Read More Undo "Apart from this, local Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs) should be involved in the programme. To make this campaign effective, there needs to be a proper check on the work that is being carried out by the agency. Because many feel as compared to sterilisation, the dog population and dog bite cases have not come down," he added. Health officials also noted that several bite cases reported in Panchkula's civil hospital originate from nearby areas, further burdening local health resources. With the sterilisation drive now back on track, authorities hope to reduce the number of stray dogs and associated health risks in the coming months. However, citizens and activists alike stress the importance of long-term planning and uninterrupted implementation of such essential public health measures. In the wake of a large number of dog bite cases being reported in Panchkula, the mayor had earlier approved arranging doctors, nurses, and vaccines at five community centres for timely treatment of victims and to give them compensation (Rs 10,000 per tooth mark) in a week as per Punjab and Haryana High Court's directions. But none of them could be implemented on the ground. MSID: 122859954 413 |
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Up ahead: Single pass for all parking lots in Chandigarh @Rs 500/month
1 2 Chandigarh: In a move to modernise its parking infrastructure, the Chandigarh municipal corporation is gearing up to launch a pilot smart parking project featuring a unified pass system across all 89 paid parking lots in the city. The initiative aims to streamline access, reduce tampering, and significantly boost revenue. Several banks have expressed interest in developing the system, which will include an app-based platform, digital payment gateway, and tamper-proof technology. A key meeting with all interested banks is scheduled for July 25, where proposals will be reviewed by a special committee of councillors and MC officials. If approved, the pilot will begin at one parking lot, with the single-pass system rolled out citywide simultaneously. Commuters with passes will receive stickers for seamless entry, while others will continue using paper slips. The MC hopes to finalise a competitive proposal that balances convenience, transparency, and profitability. The officials have planned to introduce a Rs 500 pass for four-wheelers and Rs 250 pass for two-wheelers, where pass holders can have unlimited access to parking lots in the city. To make this happen, the MC plans to partner with a bank that will handle the tech side of things. Numbers behind the move According to MC estimates, around 5 lakh four-wheelers and 1 lakh two-wheelers use paid parking lots in Chandigarh every month. Even if just 50,000 commuters opt for the new pass, the MC could generate Rs 30 crore annually — a significant jump from the current monthly profit of Rs 50 lakh. Currently, the MC sells around 5,000 passes a month, each valid for just one parking lot at ₹420. The new system promises not just convenience for commuters but a major revenue boost for the city — all without additional expenditure.
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Ludhiana MC's finance and contracts committee likely to cement 400 civic projects.
Ludhiana: The city's finance and contracts committee (F&CC) is expected to approve nearly 400 development-related resolutions during a key meeting on Friday, signalling a major civic push involving infrastructure upgrades, revised funding quotas, and politically sensitive staffing changes. The wide-ranging proposals cover essential works across Ludhiana's 95 municipal wards, including upgrades to water supply, sewerage, roads, and public parks. Resolutions also include the issuance of work orders to firms selected through recent tenders. At the heart of the meeting's agenda is a revision of the development fund quotas for inner and outer city wards. Currently, 60% of Ludhiana's wards are in the inner city and 40% in the outer areas. Previously, the allocation stood at ₹1.5 crore for inner wards and ₹3 crore for outer ones. The municipal commissioner has now approved a revised distribution — ₹2 crore for inner wards and ₹2.5 crore for outer wards — in response to ongoing demands for equitable development. A separate ₹5 crore MLA quota will remain unaffected. Mayor Inderjit Kaur has emphasised the need for equal treatment across all wards and directed officials to ensure that all projects under the councillor quota are recorded in the tender inviting cell (TIC) register for transparency and tracking. However, some proposals have stirred concerns. Sources say that the mayor has advised officials to award contracts even when savings margins for the civic body are as low as 1 to 2%, potentially burdening the municipal corporation financially. The F&CC is expected to decide whether to approve the current bids or cancel and reissue tenders. The committee will also review proposals to replace tube-well operators — a move viewed by insiders as motivated politically. "Some of the former councillors still exert influence in certain areas. New councillors want their own people in place," said a senior MC official on the condition of anonymity. While operators are paid only ₹3,100 a month, the symbolic significance of control appears to outweigh the cost. Other items on the agenda include forming new park management committees, installing open gyms and high-mast streetlights, and maintaining machinery purchased under the Smart City Mission. The MC also plans to rent equipment for cleaning the polluted Buddha Dariya and seek approval for ongoing maintenance costs. The F&CC's final decisions could reshape the city's civic landscape for the coming year. MSID:: 122860524 413 |
