Haryana Diary

PM’s birthday visit to Rohtak? Buzz fizzles out

Rohtak: Speculation over Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting Rohtak on his birthday, September 17, kept the city abuzz this week. The possible high-profile stopover, despite no major occasion or state-specific issue, stirred curiosity in political circles. The buzz grew after senior officials inspected the University of Health Sciences as part of advance preparations. However, an official later clarified that chances of the visit are “very low” as no confirmation has been received from the PMO so far.

Waterlogging sparks political blame game

Ambala: With the Tangri inundating several Ambala Cantonment colonies, political parties have turned the crisis into a war of words. Opposition leaders accused the BJP government of failing to act despite similar flooding in 2023. BJP leaders, in turn, alleged that the Opposition was spreading “rumours to misguide people” and undermine preventive work. Meanwhile, residents continue to grapple with stagnant water and the looming threat of fresh floods.

Yamuna surge exposes poor flood preparedness

Yamunanagar: A sudden rise in Yamuna water discharge to 3.29 lakh cusecs at Hathnikund Barrage caught the Yamunanagar administration on the back foot, exposing gaps in flood preparedness. Incomplete embankments and delayed response left low-lying villages vulnerable. Farmer leader Sanju Gundiana shared a video of soil bags being dumped in already flooded areas, calling it a “superficial attempt to mask inadequate planning.” He accused officials of misleading affected farmers with last-minute measures.

Weekly market shutdown divides Panipat traders

Panipat: A decision to keep markets closed one day a week in the Textile City has triggered debate on social media. The move, finalised in a meeting chaired by MLA Pramod Vij with district officials, faced opposition from traders who fear losses during the festive season. Though a meeting was later held with market presidents, shopkeepers took to social media to criticise both the decision and their leaders, demanding that weekly closure be reconsidered.

Karnal Mayor’s national role fuels civic pride

Karnal: The elevation of Mayor Renu Bala Gupta as national president of the All India Mayors’ Association has filled Karnal with pride. Streets are dotted with congratulatory hoardings, while residents see it as recognition of the city’s growing prominence. Gupta, credited locally for clean governance, citizen-centric policies and modern civic services, is now expected to carry Karnal’s governance model onto the national stage. Citizens say her new role is both a personal milestone and “a collective honour for Karnal.”

• Contributed by Ravinder Saini, Nitish Sharma, Shiv Kumar Sharma, Mukesh Tandon and Parveen Arora