After much nudging, MC’s WhatsApp helpline gets going

Rajinder Nagarkoti

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 19

After remaining non-operational for the second day today, WhatsApp helpline number (9872741138) finally became operational late this evening after several complaints by residents. The helpline was launched by officials of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation and members of the Enforcement Committee for complaints regarding temporary encroachments yesterday.

The non-active number was launched during a meeting of the Enforcement Committee chaired by councillor Saurabh Joshi and attended by members/councillors Satinder Singh, Desh Raj Gupta, Harjinder Kaur, Poonam Sharma and MC Joint Commissioner Virender Chaudhary on Monday. 

After the MC’s launch, city residents today tried to contact or send photos of encroachments on the helpline but all in vain. RTI activist RK Garg said it seemed that the MC officials and councillors were trying to fool the public. Just to gain media publicity, they launched the number which was still non-operational. “I tried on the number today, but the WhatsApp facility on this number was not available, he said. MC Joint Commissioner Virender Chaudhary said soon they would start the number and redress the problem. 

Encroachments galore

Corridors in most of the markets have been encroached upon either by vendors or shopkeepers displaying goods, hardly leaving any space for visitors to walk. The corridors and pavements in the markets of Sectors 15, 17, 18, 19,20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 44, 46 and 45 have been encroached upon. 

Staff asked to purchase smartphones 

Sources said the MC Enforcement staff was asked to purchase smartphones for the facility. The sources said there were three to four staff members who did not have smartphones and now they would have to purchase the hi-tech phones. But who would pay to purchase the new phone, there was no clarity.