Latest news with #SushmaKharkwal
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Min: Intensify cleanliness efforts, ensure effective use of sanitation machines
1 2 3 4 Lucknow: Urban development minister AK Sharma on Saturday emphasised the need to intensify cleanliness efforts in the city and stressed the importance of treating waste as a valuable resource. Speaking at 'Seva aur Samarpan' programme organised to mark two years of mayor Sushma Kharkwal in office, Sharma said, "While a lot of progress has been made in city's cleanliness, in some areas, sanitation machines are reportedly stationed without any actual cleaning work being carried out. If a machine is available in any area, it must be used, as the man-machine partnership increases productivity by up to 1,000 times. " He appreciated the mayor's active role in ensuring cleanliness in the city and stressed the importance of treating waste as a valuable resource, citing examples like Shivala Park in Prayagraj which has been developed using waste. He suggested that a similar model should be adopted in the city. The mayor also shared updates on civic initiatives, including increased tax collection, beautification projects using waste, installation of CCTV cameras, establishment of new transfer stations for solid waste, and plantation of five lakh saplings under 'Green Lucknow' initiative. BJP state president Bhupendra Chaudhary acknowledged the progress made in functioning of the civic body. He said that the contributions of figures like Rajmata Ahilyabai Holkar should be highlighted prominently in public discourse. A booklet detailing the municipal corporation's work over the past two years was released, and a short documentary highlighting improvements in civic services — including drinking water supply, garbage disposal, and sanitation —was screened. Mankameshwar ward corporator Ranjit Singh was felicitated for his contributions during the pandemic, including the cleaning of the Gomti river and the cremation of unclaimed bodies. BJP MP Dinesh Sharma also addressed the gathering and recalled his own tenure as the city mayor. He acknowledged the work carried out by the current municipal administration. The mayor expressed gratitude for the support received over the past two years and reaffirmed her commitment to the city's development.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Time of India
Sanitation scam: Mayor cracks whip on illegal charges
Lucknow: A surprise inspection led by Mayor Sushma Kharkwal on Saturday morning uncovered a case of unauthorized user charge collection in the Wireless crossing area. The inspection, which started at 6:30 am, aimed to evaluate the city's sanitation and identify irregularities. The issue was exposed when a coconut vendor informed Kharkwal that he was being charged Rs 400 monthly without receiving a receipt. The vendor identified Akash, an employee of a private firm contracted by LMC for sanitation work, as the person collecting the money. Akash admitted to unofficially collecting charges. The Mayor instructed sanitation officials to take strict action against him. A clogged drain in the area also drew the Mayor's attention, prompting orders for immediate cleaning and regular monitoring. In Kalyanpur, an unauthoriSed garbage cart was seized near Kamla Market and a fine of Rs 500 was imposed for roadside littering. During the inspection, the mayor found garbage dumped in an open plot in Keshavnagar and instructed officials to issue a notice to the plot owner, directing them to construct a boundary wall to prevent future dumping. In Adilnagar, a meat shop operating illegally on a drain was fined Rs 5,000 and demolished with a bulldozer under the supervision of additional municipal commissioner Lalit Kumar. The mayor also ordered the municipal commissioner to take action against open meat sales across the city. She warned that negligence in sanitation will not be tolerated and urged residents to support cleanliness efforts by reporting irregularities.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Lucknow civic body allocates ₹500 crore for infrastructure and smart city development
The Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) has allocated over ₹500 crores for infrastructure development , air quality improvement and smart city initiatives . It had received these funds under the 15th finance commission, smart city mission, infrastructure fund and includes proposals under the Chief Minister's flagship urban renewal schemes . The decision to allocate funds for various development projects in the city was taken on Wednesday during a standing committee meeting chaired by Mayor Sushma Kharkwal at the Smart City office. About ₹64.50 crore has been allocated for improving air quality in the city. Of this, ₹35.45 crore will be spent on repairing damaged roads and laying interlocking tiles, while ₹7 crore will go towards deploying anti-smog guns and establishing construction and demolition (C&D) waste collection centres. Moreover, ₹1 crore has been sanctioned for installing fountains at major intersections, while ₹11.05 crore has been allotted for beautification of parks and development of an urban forest. Another ₹9 crore will be used for geofencing encroachment-free land to facilitate effective monitoring. Furthermore, ₹173 crore has been earmarked for solid waste management . These funds will be utilised for fresh waste disposal at the Shivri waste plant, construction of transfer stations, improvement of drinking water systems and procurement of advanced waste-handling machinery. A total of 25 projects were approved under this category, with a mandate to ensure timely and high-quality execution. Over ₹160 crore from the infrastructure fund will finance 17 major projects. These projects include cleaning of the Kathauta and Bharwara lakes, repair of roads and drains, installation of new drainage systems, beautification of traffic intersections, development of the Kalyan Mandap, street lighting and electrification works, setting up flood pumping stations, vending zones, and creation of sports facilities beneath flyovers. Instructions were also issued regarding the third phase of the Chief Minister's grid scheme, directing that newly proposed roads be integrated with those developed in earlier phases. A fresh survey of proposed routes will be conducted, and officials have been asked to submit regular progress reports. Additionally, a proposal worth ₹103.50 crore under the Mukhyamantri Aishvik Nagarodaya Yojana will soon be submitted to the state government. The proposal includes construction of a multi-purpose complex on Ayodhya Road, redevelopment of city intersections, traffic management solutions, building of a new zonal office (zone-seven), development of an urban forest, a children's home, smart parking facilities and a multi-purpose sports stadium. Municipal officials have been directed to ensure that all city drains are cleaned by June 26 to avoid waterlogging during the monsoon. Any lapses will invite disciplinary action. All flood pumping stations will also be inspected and made operational ahead of the rainy season. The meeting was attended by municipal commissioner Gaurav Kumar, additional commissioner Lalit Kumar, Pankaj Srivastava, Arun Kumar Gupta, Arvind Kumar Rao, GM, Jal Kal, Kuldeep Singh, chief engineer (civil) Mahesh Verma, chief engineer (RR) Manoj Kumar Prabhat, with executive engineers and other officials.
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Rs 500 cr allocated for infra devpt, air quality
Lucknow: The Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) has allocated over Rs 500 crores for infrastructure development , air quality improvement and smart city initiatives . It had received these funds under the 15th finance commission, smart city mission, infrastructure fund and includes proposals under the Chief Minister's flagship urban renewal schemes. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The decision to allocate funds for various development projects in the city was taken on Wednesday during a standing committee meeting chaired by Mayor Sushma Kharkwal at the Smart City office. About Rs 64.50 crore has been allocated for improving air quality in the city. Of this, Rs 35.45 crore will be spent on repairing damaged roads and laying interlocking tiles, while Rs 7 crore will go towards deploying anti-smog guns and establishing construction and demolition (C&D) waste collection centres. Moreover, Rs 1 crore has been sanctioned for installing fountains at major intersections, while Rs 11.05 crore has been allotted for beautification of parks and development of an urban forest. Another Rs 9 crore will be used for geofencing encroachment-free land to facilitate effective monitoring. Furthermore, Rs 173 crore has been earmarked for solid waste management. These funds will be utilised for fresh waste disposal at the Shivri waste plant, construction of transfer stations, improvement of drinking water systems and procurement of advanced waste-handling machinery. A total of 25 projects were approved under this category, with a mandate to ensure timely and high-quality execution. Over Rs 160 crore from the infrastructure fund will finance 17 major projects. These projects include cleaning of the Kathauta and Bharwara lakes, repair of roads and drains, installation of new drainage systems, beautification of traffic intersections, development of the Kalyan Mandap, street lighting and electrification works, setting up flood pumping stations, vending zones, and creation of sports facilities beneath flyovers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Instructions were also issued regarding the third phase of the Chief Minister's grid scheme, directing that newly proposed roads be integrated with those developed in earlier phases. A fresh survey of proposed routes will be conducted, and officials have been asked to submit regular progress reports. Additionally, a proposal worth Rs 103.50 crore under the Mukhyamantri Aishvik Nagarodaya Yojana will soon be submitted to the state government. The proposal includes construction of a multi-purpose complex on Ayodhya Road, redevelopment of city intersections, traffic management solutions, building of a new zonal office (zone-seven), development of an urban forest, a children's home, smart parking facilities and a multi-purpose sports stadium. Municipal officials have been directed to ensure that all city drains are cleaned by June 26 to avoid waterlogging during the monsoon. Any lapses will invite disciplinary action. All flood pumping stations will also be inspected and made operational ahead of the rainy season. The meeting was attended by municipal commissioner Gaurav Kumar, additional commissioner Lalit Kumar, Pankaj Srivastava, Arun Kumar Gupta, Arvind Kumar Rao, GM, Jal Kal, Kuldeep Singh, chief engineer (civil) Mahesh Verma, chief engineer (RR) Manoj Kumar Prabhat, with executive engineers and other officials.
