Patiala, February 18- Punjab Local Bodies Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh held a review meeting at the Municipal Corporation office this evening to assess the ongoing development projects and infrastructure improvement in the city. The meeting was attended by Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, Patiala Urban MLA Ajitpal Singh Kohli, Mayor Kundan Gogia, Improvement Trust Chairman Megh Chand Shermajra, AAP Urban President Tejinder Mehta, Municipal Corporation Commissioner Dr. Rajat Oberoi and other senior officials.
During this, Dr. Ravjot Singh stressed the need for further improvement in infrastructure including cleanliness, beautification, road construction, street lighting, water supply and sewerage management. He directed the Municipal Corporation officials to coordinate with the councilors and complete the major projects at the ward level within the stipulated time frame.
He also said that after a month he himself will review the progress of all the projects. Dr. Ravjot Singh emphasized on timely completion of 24x7 canal water supply project and immediate repair of roads dug for laying pipelines. MLA Ajitpal Singh Kohli expressed concern over the delay in the project and said that action should be taken against L&T and others responsible for the delay in the project.
Dr. Ravjot Singh also took strong cognizance of the irregularities in laying sewer lines near Badi Nadi and Chhoti Nadi and sought clarification from the officials of the Sewerage Board. Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh and Mayor Kundan Gogia, among others, also raised issues, on which the minister gave necessary instructions to the officials. He directed the Municipal Corporation to find new sources of revenue and to physically verify the presence of sanitation workers to ensure efficiency in the city's sanitation system.
The minister also reviewed the functioning of MRF (Material Recovery Facility) centers and solid waste management plants. Emphasizing the need for scientific disposal of old garbage heaps, he directed the officials to take concrete steps to reduce dumping sites and increase the number of garbage collection from homes so that daily cleaning of roads can be ensured.
He also stressed on immediate repair of old street lights and installation of new lights to improve the look of urban areas. To deal with the increasing cases of dog bites, he directed the Municipal Corporation to speed up the sterilization program so that the number of stray dogs can be controlled.
Senior Deputy Mayor Harinder Kohli, Deputy Mayor Jagdeep Jagga, Joint Director of Local Bodies Department Jagdeep Sehgal, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Urban Development) Navreet Kaur Sekhon, Joint Commissioner Babandeep Singh Walia and Deepjot Kaur and other Municipal Corporation officials were also present in the meeting.