Day after MC action, Commissioner visits Gajigulla, orders machines for desilting

A day after initiating strict disciplinary action against three Municipal Corporation (MC) employees, MC Commissioner Gautam Jain made a visit to Gajigulla, which has been grappling with persistent sewerage issues. The Commissioner met locals, heard their complaints, and announced immediate measures to provide relief ahead of the monsoon season.

The visit comes in the wake of stern action taken by the Municipal Corporation over the ongoing sanitation failures in the locality. Among the officials against whom the action has been taken are Superintending Engineer Rahul Gagneja, who has been issued a show-cause notice. Meanwhile, corporation engineer Sukhwinder Singh has been charge-sheeted and Gursharan Singh from the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) branch has been terminated with immediate effect.

“Since the monsoon is coming, we want to provide immediate relief. For now, we will use our own machinery to get the work done,” said Jain. He added that agencies have been lined up and the MC is mobilising resources to ensure the situation is brought under control swiftly.

As part of the immediate response, the Commissioner ordered the deployment of six to eight grab machines and super-suction machines for desilting work. He emphasised that once the desilting of the sewer lines is complete, road construction in the affected area will follow.

Residents of Gajigulla had long been complaining about the overflowing drains, stagnant water, and a pervasive foul odour in the locality. The Commissioner had earlier asked the contractor to deploy machines as the situation was getting worse in the area. “However, no deployment of the machines was made after which the contractor’s firm will be blacklisted," an official said.

The Commissioner’s on-ground visit appears to be a direct response to the growing unrest among residents and criticism of the MC’s handling of basic civic services. His assurances and swift action have been welcomed by the area residents.

As the sky will be overcast in the coming days, people of Gajigulla wait to see if this renewed focus will finally bring an end to their chronic sanitation woes.

Jalandhar