Rajkot Municipal Corporation Intensifies Public Outreach Ahead of Civic Elections
With civic body elections scheduled in the coming months, the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) has significantly ramped up its public engagement efforts, infrastructure planning initiatives, and sanitation measures. The municipal administration is focusing on creating more responsive and citizen-friendly development projects as the election period approaches.
Mandatory Stakeholder Consultation for Infrastructure Projects
Municipal Commissioner Tushar Sumera issued a crucial circular on Saturday that makes stakeholder consultation compulsory for all upcoming public utility infrastructure projects. This directive aims to foster long-term, citizen-centric development rather than relying solely on technical parameters.
According to the circular, various departments must actively seek inputs from beneficiaries, local stakeholders, and subject matter experts before planning essential facilities. These include community halls, auditoriums, sports complexes, health centers, libraries, women's hostels, and BRTS stops. The RMC will maintain detailed records of all consultations conducted, ensuring transparency in the planning process.
Project estimates will be prepared based on comprehensive assessments of structural, technical, and financial feasibility, incorporating expert recommendations gathered during the consultation phase. Commissioner Sumera emphasized that the primary objective is to maximize public utility by aligning projects with actual user needs rather than limiting planning to technical specifications alone.
Successful Implementation in Existing Projects
The consultation initiative has already been successfully implemented in two significant projects, demonstrating its practical effectiveness. During the planning of an international-level sports complex announced in the 2025-26 budget for Ward No. 17, the RMC consulted with 21 national and state-level athletes.
Based on their valuable feedback, facilities such as gyms, changing rooms, and restrooms were designed to meet international standards. The complex will feature special arenas for combat sports and high-demand facilities including badminton courts and a skating rink, reflecting the specific needs identified through stakeholder engagement.
Similarly, comprehensive stakeholder consultation was conducted for a working women's hostel under the Smart City initiative. Approximately 100 working women provided crucial inputs that shaped the final design. The hostel will include dormitories, recreation areas, co-working spaces, day-care facilities, and enhanced safety features, addressing the practical requirements of its future residents.
Enhanced Sanitation Monitoring Ahead of Swachh Survekshan 2026
Simultaneously, Municipal Commissioner Tushar Sumera has intensified monitoring of sanitation activities in preparation for Swachh Survekshan 2026. On Saturday, Sumera personally visited the newly established solid waste management (SWM) office in Ward 3, where he thoroughly reviewed waste collection, segregation, transportation, and disposal systems.
The commissioner issued clear instructions to ensure comprehensive cleanliness across the entire city and warned that any negligence in sanitation duties would not be tolerated. This heightened focus on sanitation reflects the RMC's commitment to improving urban living conditions and preparing for the upcoming cleanliness survey.
High-Level Review Meeting for Administrative Efficiency
On Friday, Commissioner Sumera conducted a high-level review meeting at the Central Zone office with deputy municipal commissioners, department heads, and ward officers. The meeting focused on reviewing pending files, development projects, budget planning, and cleanliness preparations across various departments.
Officials received direct instructions to clear all pending files within one week, conduct on-site inspections of citizen complaints, and ensure visible cleanliness across all wards. This administrative push is believed to be part of the RMC's response to directives from Gandhinagar ahead of the crucial civic body elections, reflecting the increased emphasis on governance efficiency and public service delivery.
The comprehensive approach combining mandatory public consultation, enhanced sanitation monitoring, and administrative streamlining demonstrates the Rajkot Municipal Corporation's multi-faceted strategy to improve urban governance and citizen satisfaction as election preparations intensify.
