Fix accountability for rain losses in city: BJP councillors to Mayor

BJP councillors of the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation today raised serious concerns over the lack of accountability within the civic body following the recent floods that crippled the city. Ward No. 50 councillor Manjit Singh Titu, along with other BJP members, criticised the AAP-led Municipal Corporation and its Mayor for the breakdown of essential civic services during the heavy rains.

The councillors alleged that several infrastructure projects, despite costing crores of rupees, failed disastrously, leaving residents to suffer in unsanitary and hazardous conditions. They demanded that responsibility be fixed on officials and leaders of the MC, emphasizing that the public’s health was at risk due to the prevailing neglect.

Addressing the media at the Punjab Press Club in Jalandhar, Titu said, “So far, no one has been held accountable for the losses of crores of rupees sustained by citizens in the wake of the recent rain. Crores were spent on the Pholariwal STP project, which completely failed. The plant motor got burnt and due to no backup or generator, it stopped functioning. This directly impacted the city where dirty waters entered many areas days ago. Traders sustained losses worth crores of rupees due to water entering basements of homes and shops in Model Town. The plant was later made operational but damage had already been done. Even during the historic Sodal Mela, broken roads and paths ridden with potholes exposed the MC’s working.”

Titu also added, “The accumulation of sewage waters in the city and the rampant accumulation of garbage at various points could give rise to a health crisis at any time. Across streets and mohallas, stagnant water still prevails. Despite the issues being taken up by BJP councillors and repeated complaints given to various officials, the matter is not being addressed on a priority basis. My own street hasn’t been built so far. The Mayor and the state government must address these issues which have steeped Jalandhar into a deep civic crisis.”

The BJP councillors also protested the new norm of adding the names of councilors – who had lost the polls – to boards and plaques.

While AAP has 45 councillors in the House in Jalandhar, the BJP has 17. During the conference, apart from ward number 50 councillor Manjit Singh Titu, councillors Charanjit Kaur Sandha, Gurdeep Singh Fauji, and others also spoke. Councilors Rimpi Prabhakar, Ravi Kumar, Shivam Sharma, Manjit Kaur, Meenu Dhand, Rajiv Dhingra, Tarvinder Soi, Ajay Kumar Babbal, Rani Bhagat Jyoti, Shobha Meeniya, among others were present.

Speaking to The Tribune, Jalandhar, Mayor, Vaneet Dhir said, “The BJP councilors are just indulging in politics. Even last night too, super suction machines have been pressed into services at their wards. We are getting their works done on a priority basis. As far as the Pholariwal plant is concerned, it was not the MC’s fault. A hotline from the power department failed due to the incessant rain. Me, the DC and the Commissioner stayed up till late to fix it, after which it was resumed.”

The Mayor added, “The problems caused in Jalandhar were due to the unprecedented rain this year. However, we are working to get storm water sewerage system installed wherever necessary.”