Punjab Local Bodies Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh today held a review meeting at the Municipal Corporation Patiala office to assess ongoing development projects and infrastructure improvements in the city.
The meeting was attended by Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, who is also the local MLA, MLA Patiala Urban Ajitpal Singh Kohli, Mayor Kundan Gogia, Chairman Improvement Trust Megh Chand Shermajra, AAP Urban President Tejinder Mehta, Municipal Commissioner Dr. Rajat Obrai, and other senior officials.
Dr. Ravjot Singh emphasized the need for further improvements in basic amenities, including cleanliness, beautification, road construction, street lighting, water supply, and sewage management. He directed Municipal Corporation officials to coordinate with councillors and complete key ward-level projects within the stipulated timeframe. He also announced that he would personally review the progress of all projects after one month.
The Minister Dr Ravjot Singh stressed the timely completion of the 24x7 canal water supply project and the repair of roads dug up for pipeline installation. Raising concerns over delays, MLA Ajitpal Singh Kohli urged action against L&T and other stakeholders responsible for project slowdowns.
Dr. Ravjot Singh also took serious note of irregularities in the laying of sewer lines near Vadi Nadi and Chotti Nadi, summoning officials from the Sewerage Board for an explanation. Dr. Ravjot Singh directed the Municipal Corporation to explore new revenue sources and conduct a physical verification of sanitation workers’ attendance to ensure efficiency in city cleanliness efforts.
He also called for additional manpower for sewer cleaning and emphasized the procurement of super-suction and jet-suction machines to improve the sewerage system.The Minister also reviewed the functioning of MRF (Material Recovery Facility) centers and solid waste management plants.
Stressing the need for scientific waste disposal, he instructed officials to work towards reducing dumping sites and enhancing garbage collection from homes to ensure daily street cleaning.Dr. Ravjot Singh directed officials to conduct an audit of the work done by the agency managing super-suction machines.
He also emphasized the urgent repair of old streetlights and faster installation of new ones to improve visibility and safety in city areas.Addressing parking and traffic congestion issues and enhance the city’s aesthetics, he ordered beautification and cleanliness at entry points, proper maintenance of road dividers, and the installation of adequate lighting.
Keeping view the upcoming monsoon season, Dr. Ravjot Singh instructed officials to clean drains, sewer lines, and rainwater outlets, check for water supply leaks, and ensure the availability of necessary machinery to prevent urban flooding.To tackle the growing issue of dog bites, he directed the Municipal Corporation to intensify the sterilization program, aiming for a higher daily count of sterilized stray dogs.
The Minister urged officials to work in close coordination with newly elected councillors to provide better civic amenities, particularly for residents of slum areas. He warned that any negligence in executing infrastructure projects would result in strict action.
The meeting was also attended by Senior Deputy Mayor Harinder Kohli, Deputy Mayor Jagdeep Jagga, Joint Director Local Government Jagdeep Sehgal, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Urban Development) Navreet Kaur Sekhon, Joint Commissioners Babbandeep Singh Walia and Deepjot Kaur, and other Municipal Corporation officials.