Outgoing Panchkula Mayor Kulbhushan Goyal, in his final address on Saturday, presented a robust report card of his five-year tenure, emphasizing a dramatic strengthening of the Municipal Corporation's financial health and widespread development across the city.
A Legacy of Financial Fortification
Addressing a press conference, Goyal drew a sharp contrast between the MC's fiscal position when he assumed office and when he left. He stated that the corporation's coffers, which held around Rs 100 crore at the start of his term, have now been left with fixed deposit receipts worth Rs 250 crore. Additionally, he highlighted that the MC has received Rs 40 crore from the government, bringing the total financial strength to Rs 290 crore.
Unprecedented Development Drive
Goyal detailed an extensive list of infrastructural and civic works completed under his leadership. He claimed that over 1,030 development projects, with a cumulative worth of nearly Rs 400 crore, were successfully executed during his five years. While expressing regret over the inability to construct a dedicated MC office building due to legal obstacles, the outgoing mayor asserted that Panchkula witnessed "unprecedented development," a feat he credited to strong public support.
BJP Leaders Applaud Tenure
The mayor's achievements received strong endorsement from local Bharatiya Janata Party leaders. BJP district president Ajay Mittal praised Goyal's initiatives, specifically citing the effective management of stray cattle by shifting them to gaushalas. Mittal also commended the installation of lights worth Rs 20 crore in public parks and the comprehensive upgrading of facilities in rural areas, including dharamshalas, community centres, and street lighting.
Adding to the accolades, Kalka MLA Shakti Rani Sharma opined that Goyal deserved a second term to ensure the continuity of the development momentum he had established for Panchkula.
Goyal's tenure, marked by significant financial growth and a high volume of project completions, sets a notable benchmark for the city's civic administration as it prepares for new leadership.
