Ludhiana to be Pothole and Manhole Free by June 30, Orders Minister Bains
Local Government Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Friday set a strict deadline of June 30 to make Ludhiana free of potholes and manholes. He directed all municipal corporation (MC) officials to report to the field from 7 am to 8 am every day as part of the Mission Clean Punjab initiative.
During an early-morning surprise inspection, Bains took serious note of stagnant rainwater and garbage along National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) roads passing through the city. He warned that if NHAI fails to clean the roads, the municipal corporation will do it and bill them. In case of non-performance, a fine will be imposed, he said after a three-hour ground visit.
Monsoon Preparedness and Sewer Cleaning
Reviewing monsoon preparedness, Bains directed MC officials to ensure all sewer lines are cleared by the end of the month. MC officials informed the minister that 49 km of the 220 km sewer lines targeted for cleaning have been prioritized. Of this, 47 percent has already been desilted, and the remaining work will be completed by June 30. They also noted that road projects worth Rs 172 crore are currently underway within MC limits to improve civic infrastructure. The minister ordered that all missing and damaged manhole covers within MC limits be replaced and road repair works be completed within the stipulated deadline.
To strengthen civic response during the monsoon, Bains ordered the MC to set up a 24x7 war room to monitor waterlogging, sewer blockages, and rain-related complaints in real time.
BJP Leader Chases Minister's Car
In a dramatic incident, a BJP leader ran after Minister Bains' car while he was out inspecting field works under Mission Clean Punjab. As the minister came out of the MC Zone A office after a meeting, BJP leader Vicky Sahota broke through the police cordon and ran after him, shouting slogans. He was accompanied by a member of the Sangharsh Committee Nagar Nigam Ludhiana. However, police apprehended both before they could reach the minister. Sahota continued to try to meet the minister, but police prevented him from proceeding. Sahota and his associates later surrounded Mayor Inderjit Kaur, claiming they had come to meet the minister peacefully to discuss employees' demands.
Minister's Tea Talk with Safai Sewaks
In a heartwarming gesture, Bains walked up to a group of safai sewaks cleaning a road near Dayanand Medical College and Hospital. He pulled a small stool and told them, Bring tea, let's talk. He spent around 20 minutes taking feedback on sanitation, waterlogging, and safety gear from the workers. Bains remarked, The people who keep this city clean every single day are the best experts on how to make it better. You don't learn this sitting in a closed room. You learn it on a stool, with tea and beside the person holding the broom.
