Latest news with #MohaliMunicipalCorporation
Indian Express
3 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Mohali civic body to spend Rs 80 lakh on renting pumps again
Despite repeated failure to provide relief to people in the rainy season, the Mohali Municipal Corporation is once again relying on the same drainage system involving pumps, which has proven ineffective in the past. This time, it plans to rent tractor-mounted de-watering pumps at a cost of Rs 80 lakh for a period of three months. This move has drawn criticism not only from the public but also from several municipal councillors. To date, the Municipal Corporation has failed to implement a lasting solution to waterlogging. The same temporary pump-based system, which failed last year when pumps stopped working mid-rain, is being proposed again. Councillors argue that the amount being spent could be better utilised in establishing a permanent drainage solution. According to residents, areas like Phase 3B2, 4, 5, Phase 11, and Sectors 70 and 71 experience severe flooding each monsoon. Parts of Phase 1 are also significantly affected, leading to major inconvenience and financial losses for residents. In response, the corporation plans to install the rented pumps in these areas and deploy personnel to ensure immediate drainage during rainfall. In 2016, the MC appointed a team of PEC engineers to address the issue of water logging. The team pointed out flaws in the city's old drainage system and recommended laying 26 km of new pipelines with diameters ranging from 80–100 mm. They also suggested installing a rainwater harvesting system and channeling excess water into the seasonal rivulet, Patiala Ki Rao. However, despite the passage of nine years, the MC has taken no action on the report. As a result, low-lying areas remain affected, and during every monsoon, homes and streets are repeatedly flooded, causing residents continuous inconvenience and financial losses amounting to lakhs of rupees. What Officials Say In this regard, when several attempts were made to contact Commissioner Municipal Council Parminder Pal Singh, he could not be contacted on the phone. Amrik Singh Somal, Senior Deputy Mayor & councillor, Sector 71 'GMADA has not been cooperating in resolving this issue. In fact, they raised the levels of Airport Road and the Kumbhra-Balongi Road, which has caused rainwater to flood into sectors 70 and 71. We demand permission to lay pipelines up to the Kumbhra Light Point to enable proper drainage and offer a permanent solution.' Kuljit Singh Bedi, Deputy Mayor & councillor, Phase 3B2: 'This issue arises every year, causing immense trouble to residents. While a permanent solution is still pending, renting pumps is currently the only option for temporary relief. Unfortunately, this has become an annual compulsion.' Baljit Kaur, councillor, Phase 5 'After the construction of a causeway on the Phase 5 road, some relief was observed in the HIG and 7.5 marla belts. However, the 10 marla belt continues to suffer from rainwater accumulation. The best solution is to install direct pipelines to the Balongi drain.' Rupinder Kaur Reena, councillor, Phase 4 'Renting pumps is a waste of public money. Instead of spending such a large amount on temporary equipment, a causeway should be constructed on the dividing road. It would cost less and solve the problem effectively.' Mayor Amarjit Singh Jeeti Sidhu 'A comprehensive drainage project worth Rs 200 crore has been planned after conducting a survey. However, this project is beyond the financial scope of the Municipal Corporation. We have written to the government for financial assistance. Once the funds are received, we will begin work to ensure a permanent solution to the city's waterlogging issue.'
Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Mohali deputy mayor demands posting of General Category Commission chairman, writes to CM Bhagwant Mann
Deputy Mayor of Mohali Municipal Corporation, Kuljit Singh Bedi, has written to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, demanding the immediate appointment of a new chairman for the General Category Commission. In his letter, he wrote, 'Just as various welfare boards and corporations are formed for other communities and their chairmen and directors are appointed, similarly, the General Category also faces several issues for which the appointment of a Chairman and members is necessary for redressal.' Deputy Mayor Bedi stated that during the tenure of the Congress government, the 'Punjab State Commission for General Category' was established on December 29, 2021, and Dr Navjot Singh Dahiya was appointed its chairman. However, after the announcement of the Vidhan Sabha elections, the commission's activities came to a halt, and even after three years of the new government, no chairman or member has been appointed, he said. He mentioned that the problems faced by the General Category whether related to students or senior citizens are not being heard anywhere. 'If a chairman is not appointed immediately, this section will continue to be ignored,' he emphasised. He said that the commission was set up by Charanjit Singh Channi's government in 2021, but after the Aam Aadmi Party came into power in 2022, it remained merely on paper. He also said the 'Chief Minister Scholarship Scheme,' started by the Channi government, has also fallen victim to the circumstances. An allocation of Rs 30 crore was made in the 2022-23 budget for this scheme, but no funds were allocated in 2023-24, and the scheme was quietly scrapped. During a Cabinet sub-committee meeting, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Cabinet Ministers Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal and Aman Arora assured to restart the scheme, but no action has been taken so far. Bedi said that despite the government appointing officials for several other commissions and boards, the General Category is still being ignored. He demanded that immediate action be taken in this regard and a chairman be appointed without delay, so that the General Category does not feel disheartened by the government.
Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Councillor flays Mohali Mayor's broom-and-mop remark: ‘Senior deputy mayor, deputy mayor must clarify'
Mohali Municipal Corporation councillor Sarbjit Singh Samana has decried Mayor Amarjeet Singh Sidhu's 'narrow mindset' for referring to the municipal body as merely an institution for doing 'broom and mop work'. Samana said the remark was as an outright attack on the dignity of the municipal corporation and an insult to the hard work of thousands of Mohali residents. 'If such a statement comes from the mayor of a developed city like Mohali, it not only reflects a narrow mindset but also suggests that the mayor is admitting his complete failure during his tenure,' Samana said. He emphasised that the job of the municipal corporation is not limited to just sanitation but is responsible for park development, road infrastructure, street lighting, libraries, and planning of new projects. He added that with an annual budget exceeding Rs 200 crore, describing the corporation as body for mere sanitation work is deeply disgraceful. 'I urge my fellow councillors, Senior Deputy Mayor Amrik Singh Somal and Deputy Mayor Kuljit Bedi, to clarify their positions. Do they agree with the mayor's statement?' he asked. Samana also asserted that if the mayor views the Corporation as only responsible for sanitation, he has clearly failed even in that area. He pointed out that sanitation conditions in Mohali are deteriorating, with several plots filled with garbage, fire incidents occurring at various sites, and no new developmental work being carried out administratively. 'If the mayor is making such baseless statements to escape accountability, it only exposes his incompetence,' he said Samana assured the residents of Mohali that he will continue to raise his voice to uphold the dignity of the Mohali municipal corporation and ensure it remains a progressive and respected institution.
Indian Express
13-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
F&CC proposes Rs 200-crore plan to save Mohali from monsoon flooding
In a major move to protect several flood-prone areas of Mohali such as Phase 3B2, Phase 4, Phase 5, Sector 70-71, Phase 7, and Phase 11 from rainwater damage during the monsoon, the Mohali Municipal Corporation has formulated a Rs 200-crore project. This initiative aims to provide a permanent drainage solution by channeling rainwater into the Patiala Ki Rao choe. The proposal is backed by a thorough survey and a technically sound drainage model. Speaking to The Indian Express, Mayor Amarjit Singh Jeeti Sidhu said, 'Mohali Municipal Corporation does not have the required funds. A letter has been sent to the government requesting financial assistance. As soon as funds are received, the project will be initiated to provide lasting relief to residents from monsoon-related losses.' In a Finance and Contract Committee meeting held Monday, estimates worth Rs 12 crore for new works were approved and work orders worth Rs 13 crore were issued. These include vital civic projects related to sewerage, footpaths, and roads. Present at the meeting were Senior Deputy Mayor Amrik Singh Somal, Deputy Mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi, committee members Jasvir Singh Manku and Anuradha Anand, Chief Engineer Naresh Batta, and other senior officials. Highlighting key decisions, the mayor said, 'To ensure proper rainwater drainage, the city has been divided into four zones for the desilting of clogged drainage pipes. The tendering process is underway, and large-scale cleaning will begin soon.' He added, 'In addition, in coordination with the Soil Conservation Department, tall reed grass along the N-choe (seasonal stream) passing through Mohali will be cleared starting next week.' On urban mobility, he said, 'Mohali's first cycle track has been a major success. Our goal is to connect all residential areas to marketplaces through dedicated cycle tracks. This will not only help reduce parking issues but also promote healthier lifestyles.' Emphasising transparency and fairness, Sidhu said, 'Development work is being carried out in every ward based on need — without any discrimination.' He stressed that officials have been instructed to maintain the highest quality standards and regularly review pending projects. 'Any negligence will result in strict action against the contractors and officials concerned,' he warned.
Indian Express
01-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Mohali MC issues notices to RWAs over neglect of public parks
Taking steps toward improving the maintenance of public parks, the Mohali Municipal Corporation has issued notices to several Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs) for failing to properly manage the parks entrusted to them. Out of the total 798 parks in the city within the corporation's jurisdiction, 190 parks have been handed over to various welfare associations for upkeep. However, according to municipal officials, several associations have failed to meet expectations in maintaining these green spaces. 'The condition of many parks is extremely poor, although a few are being managed relatively well,' an official said. Sources said that the corporation had also issued notices last financial year, demanding an account of the funds provided. Numerous associations were found lacking in basic upkeep. Some failed to paint railings, others didn't install proper signboards, and multiple irregularities were discovered. While a few associations responded to the notices, many did not reply at all. Now the corporation is preparing to take action once again, issuing fresh notices. The MC allocates approximately Rs 16.44 lakh every month to these associations for park maintenance. This amount is distributed at a rate of Rs 4.23 per square metre, which officials claim is higher than the rates quoted by private contractors. 'Several contractors undertake similar work at lower rates, yet many associations, despite receiving more funds fail to deliver satisfactory results,' said one official. One municipal officer pointed out, 'When a contractor does poor work, we can take strict action or even blacklist them. But dealing with welfare associations often involves external pressures and complications.' Ward No. 70 councillor Pramod Mitra recently submitted a formal complaint to the Municipal Commissioner, along with video evidence showing overgrown congress grass in a park in his ward. He alleged that despite receiving the full funding, the local association has done little to maintain the park. A senior corporation official emphasised the importance of transparency and responsible use of public funds. 'Government funds must be utilised properly and transparently. If an association fails to maintain a park responsibly, the corporation may consider withdrawing the park's management from them in the future,' he said.
