MP reviews progress of Jalandhar Smart City project work

Aakanksha N Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 9

Member of Parliament Santokh Singh Chaudhary on Thursday reviewed the progress of ongoing development works under the Smart City Mission in a meeting held at his residence and said few big works like Burlton Park project had slowed down because of hindrance in tender process due to the pandemic.

The MP said the CEOs of the smart city projects were changed in recent times, and now that the MC Commissioner is the new CEO, he would be looking after the projects. “That’s why I had called the meeting,” he said.

The meeting was attended by MLA Rajinder Beri, Improvement Trust Chairman Daljeet Singh Ahluwalia, Mayor Jagdish Raja, Municipal Corporation Commissioner and Smart City CEO Karnesh Sharma and other officials.

During the discussions, MP Santokh Chaudhary undertook an appraisal of various projects including installation of LED lights, stormwater drainage, smart e-classrooms in primary and middle government schools, facelifting of railway station and installation of rooftop solar panels.

The senior Congress leader informed that the majority of the works were at tender stage and their execution would begin soon. He stated that projects with an estimated cost of Rs 82.29 crore were under execution and tenders have been issued for projects worth Rs 894.39 crore.

He said installation of LED streetlights with an estimated cost of Rs 43.84 crore was expected to begin from next month. Another project going under execution is storm water drainage in ABD area with a cost of Rs 20.99 crore.

Speaking about the facelifting of Jalandhar city railway station, the Lok Sabha MP informed that Rs 6.26 crore would be spent on installing escalators, construction of a foot overbridge and other works, which would begin soon.

He further informed that 141 primary and middle government schools had been equipped with smart classrooms and solar panels had been fixed on all the selected 17 government buildings under the Smart City Mission.

MP Chaudhary said the government was working for overall development of the city and these steps would improve infrastructure of Jalandhar significantly.

Meeting highlights

During the discussions, MP Santokh Chaudhary undertook an appraisal of various projects including installation of LED lights, stormwater drainage, smart e-classrooms in primary and middle government schools, facelifting of railway station and installation of rooftop solar panels.