Two days after an unprecedented deluge laid bare the inadequacies in Chandigarh’s drainage system and disaster management plans, the municipal corporation (MC) General House meeting witnessed stormy scenes as councillors cutting across party lines questioned the civic officials over their “laid-back” response.
Couldn’t you (civic officials) have assigned anyone else to reach the spots from where heavy waterlogging was reported? “For three hours, I could not find MC quick reaction teams on the spot. When the rain stopped, I saw these officials clicking selfies at the spot. But officers have their mobile phones with them. The mayor also questioned whether road gullies had been adequately cleaned ahead of the monsoon. The mayor also sought details from engineers on the action taken against officials who allegedly failed to discharge their duties. He also questioned the administration’s handling of the N-choe, saying, “You always say that N-choe has been blocked. But did you write to the administration to get the N-choe desilted?
The commissioner acknowledged the traffic situation but said: “I too was caught in traffic from 7 pm to 9 pm that day. Recounting his own experience, Joshi said he had travelled on a scooter to reach a submerged temple in Sector 16 after getting caught in traffic. “I was going to Sector 16 where a temple was submerged.
By that time, the water had already drained out,” said Joshi. We have an entire line-up of officials,” said Sharma. What is the state of the road gullies and were they even cleaned before the onset of monsoon?” he said. MC executive engineer said action had been taken against a JE and an SDO by stripping them of their additional charges. As there was traffic, I went to the spot on a scooter,” he said. Last year, you said the same. Congress councillor Prem Lata said the arrangement often left councillors waiting for machines when blockages occurred.
“We raised this issue in the finance and contract committee meeting yesterday (Tuesday) as well.
