Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Roads in ruins, non-functioning street lights, illegal parking were some of the ills plaguing the city were raised in the council meeting of Bhopal Municipal Corporation here on Friday. At the meeting, which was held at ISBT convention Hall, the Congress council members had come carrying placards to draw attention to the pressing issues.
Voicing concern over illegal parking in the city, Congress corporator Guddu Chauhan questioned the logic behind issuing tender for parking in New Market even when there is multi-level parking in the area. “Akthar Enterprise runs illegal parking from Mrignayani to Dr Prasad clinic in New Market. When there is a multi level parking in New Market then why BMC was extending the contract of Akthar Enterprise every year.
Rs 30 per hour is the premium parking charge. As per tender terms and conditions, parking was allowed for 43 vehicles but taking advantage of his proximity to zonal officials, the agency is running parking of 69 vehicles in premium parking lots, ” stated the Congress corporator. Independent corporator Pappu Vilash said, “Road are in pathetic condition but BMC officials are not doing anything to repair the roads even when they are under guarantee period,” he said. Raju Rathore, corporator ward no-73, said, “Street lights are not functioning in the entire ward-73 of Govindpura area and anti-social elements are taking advantage of the darkness to commit crime.”
Mohammed Sarvar said, “Even the potholes on the roads have not been properly filled with C&D waste. Poor quality bitumen is being used in road construction and so gravels easily lose grips and tar washes off. BMC officials should monitor the quality work of road constructions and repairs.” Mayor Malti Rai said, “ It is usually after October 15 that road repairing work is generally taken up on priority. The tenders have been cleared and now BMC will start repairing the roads and ensure proper repairing under the guarantee period.”
Censure motion passed against additional commissioner
Nidhi Singh Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) in its Council meeting on Friday passed a censure motion against BMC additional commissioner Nidhi Singh, who has been quoted in media blaming Mayor Malti Rai for not signing the files. As per the motion, on November 14,2024 during the 40th board meeting of Bhopal City Link Limited (BCLL) – which runs low floor buses- a file was forwarded to BMC Commissioner office for correction in agenda-5,6,7 and 8. The BMC Commissioner was asked to revert within three days. Reminder for the same was sent on November 21. BMC commissioner sent the file to the Mayor on December 4 but points— 5 and 8 – were not addressed.
Even minutes were also not the same which the Mayor had mentioned and it was taken on record. But the BMC additional commissioner Nidhi Singh, who is also BCLL CEO, has been quoted in media that buses were not operated just because the Mayor had not signed the files. At present only 100 buses are being operated instead of 368 low floor buses due to the lackadaisical approach of the BCLL officials. Similarly, Nidhi Singh has been condemned for her ‘behaviour’ toward public representatives (Corporators).
Nod for water supply on RAF campus
BMC Parishad passed a proposal of supplying Narmada water to RAF campus, Bangarasia. LoP Sabista Zaki objected saying that Bangarasia is not in BMC limits and it is a matter of state government. Congress corporator Pravin Saxena said that individual water connections should also be given in private colonies abolishing the system of bulk connections.
