Taking note of the delays in development works, Patiala Mayor Kundan Gogia on Wednesday said the contractors who failed to complete the projects on time would be blacklisted and barred from applying for future contracts.
The Mayor said he had sought records of all orders issued since 2022, along with details of incomplete works.
During a meeting with the engineering wing of the Municipal Corporation, Gogia directed officials to ensure accountability for delayed projects.
He said several councillors had complained that a number of development works, for which orders were issued after April 2022, had either not been started or remained incomplete.
“The delays have caused inconvenience to residents and affected the pace of development in parts of the city,” the Mayor said.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the slow progress, Gogia directed the Superintending Engineer (Civil) to identify the contractors who had failed to commence work or abandoned projects midway.
Such contractors, he said, should be debarred and blacklisted in accordance with rules. He also ordered initiation of proceedings for forfeiture of their earnest money deposits.
Stressing that negligence in public welfare projects would not be tolerated, the Mayor said only firms demonstrating efficiency and timely execution of works would be considered for future projects.
He asked the Superintending Engineer to submit a detailed report on all work orders issued since April 2022, including the names of firms, dates of issuance of work orders, completion timelines, reasons for delays and the present status of each project. The report would form the basis for further legal and administrative action against defaulting contractors, he added.
Pooja Syal Grewal takes charge as MC Commissioner
Senior PCS officer Pooja Syal Grewal on Wednesday assumed charge as the Commissioner of the Patiala Municipal Corporation.
She was warmly welcomed at the MC office by Mayor Kundan Gogia, who presented her with a bouquet and extended his best wishes for her new assignment.
Councillors Gyan Chand, Kulwant Singh and other municipal officials were present.
Gogia said Grewal was an experienced officer, who had earlier served in Patiala as the SDM and ADC.
He said the Municipal Corporation’s priority was to transform Patiala into a clean and model city.
The Mayor said special focus would be placed on desilting and cleaning the sewers ahead of the monsoon. The Patiala Mayor also highlighted plans to improve streetlight maintenance, strengthen waste management, and ensure timely disposal of legacy waste to provide better civic amenities to residents.
