Jalandhar Mayor flags poor execution of green belt project, orders strict monitoring

Taking a firm stance on the ongoing green belt development project from Patel Chowk to Vidhipur Fatak, Jalandhar Mayor Vaneet Dhir on Wednesday expressed serious dissatisfaction over the quality and pace of work being carried out.

During a site inspection, the Mayor was accompanied by district administration officials, including ADC Jasveer Singh, along with representatives from the Forest Department responsible for executing the project under the Smart City initiative funded by the Municipal Corporation.

Addressing the officials, Mayor Dhir criticised the substandard execution of the project. "The quality of work is not good, the pace is slow and it is not up to the required standards," he said. He further highlighted lapses in basic maintenance, noting that proper watering of plants was not being ensured. To improve accountability, the Mayor announced that each plant would now be geo-tagged to enable close monitoring of progress and survival rates.

The Mayor also raised concerns about the inadequate workforce at the site. "Barely 10-12 workers were present, whereas at least 100 workers are required to complete the project on time," he remarked, warning that the current pace could delay the project timeline significantly. In addition, he pointed out flaws in the installation of fencing, stating that grills were not fixed properly and needed immediate correction. He directed the concerned departments to ensure that all infrastructure work meets the required standards.

Mayor Dhir concluded by announcing a follow-up inspection scheduled for April 15, during which the administration will review the progress and improvements made. The green belt project is considered a key component of the city's Smart City development plan, aimed at enhancing urban greenery and environmental sustainability.