In a significant administrative move aimed at averting the annual monsoon chaos, the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) has officially constituted a dedicated monsoon management cell. The cell was formed on Saturday to strengthen planning, coordination, and monitoring of monsoon preparedness and response across the city.
A Proactive Committee to Oversee Monsoon Readiness
The decision was formalized through an official order issued by MCG Commissioner Pradeep Dahiya. The committee will operate under his chairmanship and includes key officials such as Additional Commissioners Yash Jaluka and Ravinder Yadav, Chief Engineer Vijay Dhaka, all executive and assistant engineers of the corporation, and consultant Surbhi Sahu.
This step marks a departure from the civic body's historical practice of floating tenders for monsoon preparedness only after the rainy season has already begun, often leading to delayed responses and public inconvenience.
Consultant's Critical Role in Planning and Analysis
Consultant Surbhi Sahu has been assigned a pivotal role and will work under the supervision of Executive Engineer Pardeep Kumar. Her specific responsibilities for monsoon preparedness are comprehensive and data-driven.
She is tasked with preparing a detailed monsoon preparedness plan, with the first draft due by January 15. Her duties include compiling and verifying records of critical civil works like de-silting and drain cleaning, documenting other monsoon-related activities, and assessing machinery requirements for deployment during the season.
Furthermore, Sahu will analyze monsoon data from previous years to identify systemic gaps, bottlenecks, and best practices that can inform the current strategy. She will also prepare standard reporting formats to ensure streamlined communication.
Dual Responsibility in Sewerage Management
The order further states that the consultant will also function as a member of the Sewerage Management Cell. In this capacity, she will undertake documentation, prepare minutes of meetings, draft detailed analytical reports, and handle coordination-related work.
This work will be carried out under the supervision of MCG's chief engineer and will encompass data compilation, process documentation, operational review, and analytical support.
Stricter Measures Against Contractor Negligence
The formation of the cell coincides with MCG's recent stricter stance on civic works. The corporation has announced that no payments will be allowed for repeat sewer cleaning caused by contractor negligence. The full cost of such remedial works will be recovered from the contractors involved.
In cases where supervisory lapses by MCG staff are identified, the cost will be recovered from the concerned executive engineers. This policy addresses repeated instances where temporary blockages placed to stop sewage flow during de-silting operations were not removed after work completion, causing new problems.
The establishment of the monsoon management cell, with its focus on advanced planning and accountability, signals MCG's intent to tackle Gurgaon's perennial waterlogging and drainage issues with a more systematic and pre-emptive approach.
