New AMC commissioner warns officials, contractors

AHMEDABAD: The Ahmedabad municipal commissioner, Vijay Nehra, after his first review of the monsoon action plan, warned officials and contractors of severe action if flooding occurs in areas where desilting work has been carried out. The commissioner seems to be unaware that recently, even with just 20mm of rain, Maninagar, Nikol, Odhav and other areas got flooded.
The commissioner tweeted, “In case of excessive waterlogging in areas where desilting works were done recently, strict action will be taken against erring officials and contractors. Need to fix accountability.”
Senior officials said that soon after a warning of heavy rain was issued by the Ahmedabad collectorate, the commissioner sprang into action and convened a late-night meeting. Officials said Nehra made it clear that in areas where desilting has been done recently as a part of the monsoon action plan, there should be no waterlogging.”
The commissioner’s words caused panic, and officials were immediately seen calling subordinates and instructing them to take immediate action and clean catchpits that had not been cleaned properly.
Officials said almost all the corporation’s assistant engineers and their subordinates were in the field, inspecting work. Contractors were also told to take immediate measures.
The South Zone DyMC, Kuldeep Arya, even involved local residents in the operation, tweeting, “In south zone we have around 6,000 catchpits to ease waterlogging during the monsoon. If you find any not cleaned, please post pictures.”