Jalandhar lagging behind, will make it model city: New Mayor
Jalandhar is lagging behind, and what is more painful is that residents are not getting even basic facilities. Vaneet Dhir, newly elected Mayor of Jalandhar, stated this while talking to The Tribune.
He also admitted that he would face several challenges ahead, but ensure that by the end of his term as Mayor, the city becomes better and more developed. The Mayor will start holding meetings with the office staff, field staff and unions as well to know what issues they are facing in implementing various works.
He also pointed out that several departments from where good revenue would have come weren’t working up to the mark and revenue generation was not satisfactory. He would, therefore, ensure that the revenue increases, he said.
Dhir, who became a first-time councillor and Mayor this time, said politics was in his blood. “My father retired as a vice-principal from Arya College, Ludhiana. He was a lecturer of political science. No one from my family was ever into active politics. I somehow developed the love for politics and this is how the journey started,” he said.
He also pointed out the pathetic sewerage condition in the city and said he would start working towards resolving these issues.
Highlighting his administration’s priority, Dhir said: “We are committed to a zero-tolerance policy against corruption. Be it any MC official, or anybody else, nobody will be spared.”
“Every penny allocated for Jalandhar’s development will be spent in a transparent manner and effectively for the betterment of the city. Strict measures will be taken to eliminate corruption from all levels of governance,” he added.
Meanwhile, Vaneet Dhir held two press conferences in two days after he assumed charge as Mayor. Dhir also held a press conference at the Municipal Corporation headquarters on Sunday.
Accompanied by Senior Deputy Mayor Balbir Singh Bittu, Deputy Mayor Malkeet Singh and municipal councillors, Dhir expressed gratitude to his team, Jalandhar residents and the AAP leadership for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the city.
Dhir outlined his vision for transforming Jalandhar, listing among his priority areas such as sewage overflow, water scarcity, poor lighting on streets, infrastructure development, repairing broken roads, ensuring timely maintenance of existing infrastructure, enhanced revenue generation, streamlining revenue collection processes within the Municipal Corporation to strengthen the city’s financial resources, Smart City project implementation and proper utilisation of allocated funds.
“Our goal is to work day and night to ensure that Jalandhar becomes a benchmark for urban development,” Dhir stated, adding that all departments have been instructed to prioritise efficiency and accountability.
The Mayor called upon Jalandhar residents to actively participate in the city’s progress. “Development of Jalandhar is not just the responsibility of the Mayor, Deputy Mayors or councillors. It is a collective duty that requires the cooperation of every citizen,” he said. Dhir said that residents must also take ownership of keeping the city clean and beautiful.
The new Mayor informed that meetings with all municipal departments have been scheduled to address challenges at the ground level. He said immediate action would be taken to resolve pressing issues, and parallel work streams would ensure simultaneous progress across all priority areas.
Mayor Dhir reiterated his commitment to making Jalandhar a model city through collective efforts and transparent governance. “With the support of my team and the people of Jalandhar, we will leave no stone unturned in achieving our vision for the city,” he concluded.
