Chandigarh, July 22 – Under the guidance of Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, the Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority (PMDA) is continuously working to make the city cleaner and better planned. To tackle waterlogging during the monsoon, the Authority has completed the cleaning of city drains, which has ensured that residents have not faced any waterlogging issues this season.
PMDA CEO Sh. K. Makarand Pandurang informed that the Chief Minister had issued clear instructions for the cleaning of drains across the state before the monsoon season in various meetings. Acting on these instructions, the PMDA conducted a major campaign to clean stormwater drains, including the open drain from BEL factory through the industrial area up to Parshuram (Amartex) Chowk.
In addition, blockages were removed from two major drains (from MDC to Rajiv Indira Colony and from Sector-1 to Industrial Area Phase-1) to ensure proper drainage. Roadside drains are also being cleaned regularly to prevent water accumulation.
He further added that since the formation of PMDA, works like road repairs, cleaning of monsoon drains, maintenance of green belts and parks, and operation of STPs/WTPs have been carried out regularly. After April 1, 2024, PMDA has acquired assets from the Haryana Urban Development Authority and the Municipal Corporation, Panchkula, thereby accelerating its work.
Beautification and Upgradation of Parks
He said that 11 major parks and 19 green belts transferred from HSVP are being upgraded. Works like installation of fountains, open gyms, and walking paths are being done at a cost of Rs 13.13 crore. Redevelopment work of Herbal Park in Sector 26 has also begun.
Rs 251.17 crore approved projects and Rs 446.28 crore projects in the pipeline
The CEO informed that keeping in mind the city’s basic needs, projects worth Rs 251.17 crore have been approved by PMDA. Many of these have completed tendering, and some have already been allotted. Additionally, 7 projects worth Rs 446.28 crore are in the pipeline, including a Rs 173 crore shooting range in Sector 32, a 10 MLD STP in Rajiv Indira Colony at Rs 36 crore, STPs in Sector-5C MDC and Sector-7 costing Rs 28.50 crore and Rs 28.78 crore respectively, upgradation of Rajiv Gandhi Park, construction of Atal Park, and establishment of an Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) worth Rs 150 crore.
Revamp of Roads
Out of 47.29 km of outer roads under PMDA, Rs 31.92 crore has been sanctioned for special repair of 32 roads covering 25.54 km. Work on 28 roads (21.72 km) is complete, while repair of 4 roads (3.82 km) is in progress. This has led to significant improvement in traffic movement and safety.
Work is also underway in collaboration with Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, to make traffic junctions safer and more organized. In the first phase, a road starting from Sector 6/7 on the Chandigarh-Kalka highway, passing through Sectors 5, 8, 9, 10, and 4/11, and connecting to Zirakpur-Shimla highway has had its DPR prepared.
Modernization of Rainwater Drainage System
Sh. K. Makarand Pandurang said that a consultant has been appointed to prepare a master plan for the city’s entire rainwater drainage system to address flooding and waterlogging. PMDA is not only working to make Panchkula a leader in cleanliness but also determined to transform it into a modern and well-equipped urban centre.
