Panchkula ill-prepared for monsoon

Rajinder S Nagarkoti

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, June 21

The monsoon season is just round the corner, but Panchkula is not ready to deal with problems that arise after rain. Not a single road gully is cleaned in the city. 

The civic body had floated tenders for cleaning road gullies three times, but not a single bidder showed his interest. 

The situation is so worse in the city that it can be gauged from the fact that the MC is ready for quotation work, but no contractor is willing to come forward.

Last year, there was a flood-like situation in Sector 19, where rainwater had entered the houses and had damaged household items, including sofas, beds and washing machines. 

As the work of cleaning road gullies is yet to start, residents living in low-lying areas, especially in Sector 19, are worried. 

An contractor, who did not wish to be named, said they were not coming forward because of infighting among the Mayor, MLA, MC Commissioner and councillors. 

“No contractor can work peacefully in the MC as allegations and counter-allegations mar the functioning. Moreover, the term of the MC is also coming to an end on July 3,” said the contractor. 

When contacted, Panchkula MC Commissioner Rajesh Jogpal said they were trying to engage contractors at quotation rates and work of cleaning road gullies would start soon. 

The civic body floated 19 tenders, worth Rs 98.15 lakh, for cleaning road gullies. 

MC norms 

According to the MC norms, road gullies should be covered with cement lids and iron mashes for the safety purpose and levelled these with pavements.

During a visit to various wards on Thursday, it came to light that most of the road gullies were in a bad condition or uncovered. Many of these are being used for dumping garbage. 

Waterlogging in low-lying areas

Last year, there were reports of waterlogging in low-lying areas of Sector 19, Budanpur, Indira Colony, Sectors 15 and 16.