In a significant move to enhance transparency and accountability, Ludhiana Mayor Inderjit Kaur has issued directives to increase public oversight of the city's ambitious Rs 1,305-crore canal-based water supply project. This initiative comes amid reports of irregularities and aims to provide residents with direct access to officials overseeing the massive infrastructure overhaul.
Enhanced Public Access to Project Officials
During a progress review meeting held at the Municipal Corporation (MC) Zone-D office on Friday, Mayor Inderjit Kaur instructed that the contact numbers of all subdivisional officers (SDOs) and junior engineers (JEs) be prominently displayed on project boards across the city. This measure is designed to establish a direct communication channel between residents and the authorities responsible for the project's execution.
The mayor emphasized that this transparency initiative will empower citizens to report issues and concerns directly to the relevant officials, thereby fostering greater community involvement in the monitoring process. This step is particularly crucial as Ludhiana undergoes what is being described as its largest infrastructure transformation in recent decades.
Project Progress and Key Milestones
The canal-based water supply project, which commenced on February 25, 2025, has achieved 22% physical completion in its first eleven months of operation. Funded through collaboration between the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), this flagship initiative of the Punjab government represents a substantial long-term investment in the city's water infrastructure.
Key components of the project include:
- Construction of at least 55 overhead water storage tanks distributed across various city locations
- Development of a world-class water treatment plant (WTP) at Bilga village near Sahnewal
- Implementation of comprehensive pipeline networks throughout Ludhiana
The first phase of this extensive project is scheduled for completion by February 2028, with the entire initiative representing a comprehensive upgrade to the city's water distribution system.
Road Safety and Restoration Directive
Addressing widespread resident complaints about hazardous road conditions resulting from construction activities, Mayor Inderjit Kaur has issued a strict 20-day ultimatum for making all dug-up roads motorable. The mayor has directed officials to prioritize road repairs in areas where pipeline installation has necessitated excavation.
"The officials have been directed to ensure that roads dug for pipeline installation are repaired at the earliest," Mayor Kaur stated during the review meeting. She further instructed that patchwork and restoration activities must commence as soon as weather conditions permit, emphasizing that resident safety should never be compromised by construction schedules.
Financial Commitments and Long-Term Planning
Beyond the initial construction phase, the project involves substantial ongoing financial commitments. The operations and maintenance component alone is projected to cost Rs 154 crore over a ten-year period, while an additional Rs 84 crore has been allocated as a quality assurance reserve to ensure sustained performance standards.
This financial planning underscores the project's comprehensive approach, which extends well beyond mere construction to include long-term sustainability and quality maintenance.
Accountability Mechanisms and Oversight
The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation, in partnership with the Punjab Municipal Infrastructure Development Company (PMIDC), has implemented rigorous safety protocols and established a dedicated social communication unit to facilitate community outreach and engagement.
To prevent delays and ensure adherence to the 2028 deadline, Mayor Inderjit Kaur has institutionalized fortnightly review meetings as a standard practice. "We are committed to completing this within the stipulated time while maintaining the highest quality standards," she affirmed, highlighting the administration's dedication to both timely execution and quality assurance.
These accountability measures represent a multi-faceted approach to project management that combines technical oversight with community engagement and transparent governance practices.
