Minister to GMADA: Focus on social infrastructure

Tribune News Service

Mohali, June 11

Balbir Singh Sidhu, Health and Family Welfare Minister, Punjab, said Mohali had been fast developing as an IT hub, which necessitated the acceleration of the pace of ongoing development projects in the city.

Sidhu was presiding over a meeting to review important developmental projects at the District Administrative Complex here today.

He directed the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) to focus on developing social infrastructure such as old age homes, home for the destitute and girls’ hostels in the city. He asked GMADA to also explore the possibility of finding a chunk of land for developing a motor market and transport nagar in the city, besides permitting booths to become double-storied. The matter of construction of a hospital in Mohali was advocated during the meeting.

The minister impressed upon the MC Commissioner to explore the possibility of starting bus service in the city apart from strengthening the fire-fighting system. He talked about the need for procuring sewerage-cleaning suction machines for municipal committees and cleaning sewerage systems before the onset of monsoon.

He directed the District Mandi Officer to initiate steps to de-notify the ‘mandi’ in Phase 1 and make sure that the Phase 11 fruit and vegetable market gets operational. He also insisted upon strengthening water supply in the city and completion/re-carpeting of roads. He talked about the need for constructing toilets in slum areas. For the beautification of the city, the minister suggested GMADA to adopt the big parks of the city and lay out cycle tracks along the main roads.

Deputy Commissioner Girish Dayalan assured the minister of weekly review on the progress of the ongoing projects, followed by their time-bound completion with no room for laxity. Among those present in the meeting included Tanu Kashyap, Chief Administrator, GMADA, Kamal Garg, MC Commissioner and ADC Aashika Jain.