Gujarat CM directs civic bodies to track completed works alongside new projects (Lead)
Gandhinagar, Aug 11
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has directed elected representatives and officials of municipal corporations and municipalities to pay as much attention to the condition of old and completed development works as they do to planning new projects, while ensuring that public funds are used effectively.
Addressing a ceremony in Gandhinagar on Tuesday where cheques totalling Rs 3,850 crore were distributed for development works in urban local bodies, Patel said the availability of funds should be matched by proper utilisation and quality execution.
"Along with planning new works, the condition of old and completed works should also be taken care of," he said, urging elected representatives and officials to jointly conduct site visits to ensure that projects are implemented to the required standards.
Patel said sound financial management under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi had ensured that there was no longer a shortage of funds for public welfare works in cities and municipal corporations.
"The growing expectations of citizens reflected the improvement in ease of living and the visibility of public works," he said.
The Chief Minister also instructed urban local bodies to ensure that newly constructed roads in cities and municipal corporation areas were built using reinforced cement concrete (RCC).
He called for greater attention to urban cleanliness and suggested strict action in cases of negligence.
He also stressed the need to increase green cover in urban areas. Patel said, "State government had decided to reserve around one per cent of land in newly developed town planning schemes for tree plantation. The provision should be used to create gardens, parks and oxygen parks for public benefit."
Urban Development and Finance Minister Kanu Desai said that under Patel's leadership, development works in cities had not been held up because of a shortage of funds. "But we need to take special care to ensure that these works are of higher quality," he said.
Desai said urban development planning must also take climate change into account. He urged local bodies to work towards making cities greener under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative and to strengthen cleanliness efforts.
The state's urban local bodies received Rs 3,850 crore under the Swarnim Jayanti Chief Minister Urban Development Scheme. Of this, Rs 2,992 crore was allocated to 17 municipal corporations and Rs 858 crore to 152 municipalities.
"The state had moved from a situation where town budgets were once measured in lakhs to one where crores of rupees were being allocated for urban development works in a single day," Patel noted.
— IANS
Reader Comments
It's a welcome move, but the real challenge is implementation. We see these announcements before every election cycle — cheques distributed, speeches made, but on the ground, the quality of work remains questionable. The RCC road mandate is good though; our streets need durability, not just cosmetic repairs.
This is what we need — accountability for completed works! Too often, a project is inaugurated once and forgotten. The emphasis on joint site visits by elected reps and officials is a good step. Also, the 1% land reservation for tree plantation in town planning schemes is a smart move, especially in heat-stricken Gujarat. 🌳
While I appreciate the intent, I find it ironic that the CM talked about proper utilisation of funds while also boasting that funds are no longer a shortage. The ground reality in smaller municipalities is starkly different — many of us are still waiting for basic amenities like clean drinking water and proper waste management. Let's see if this Rs 3,850 crore actually reaches the grassroots.
Good to see an Indian state CM focusing on long-term maintenance and sustainability — not just flashy inauguration events. The climate change angle in urban planning is key, especially with the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative. Strong leadership often starts with accountability, and this seems like a step in the right direction.
As a resident of Ahmedabad, I can vouch for the fact that the city's infrastructure has improved massively in the last decade. But the bigger issue is the potholes that reappear every monsoon, despite the RCC mandate. It seems like contractors find ways around quality control. Strict action
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