In a decisive move to improve civic conditions, the top official of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) personally inspected several wards and issued a strict one-week deadline to local officers for resolving sanitation and encroachment problems.
Surprise Checks Reveal Mixed Results
VMC Commissioner Arun Mahesh Babu carried out unannounced visits to the ward offices of Wards 6, 13, and 14 on Monday. His inspection aimed to get a ground-level view of both public grievance redressal and the state of basic civic upkeep.
During his rounds in Wards 13 and 14, Babu took a hands-on approach to verify the complaint resolution system. He meticulously examined the official complaint registers and then made random phone calls to citizens whose issues were marked as closed. Out of four citizens contacted, three confirmed they were satisfied with the work done, indicating a functional grievance mechanism.
Cleanliness and Encroachments Found Lacking
Despite the positive feedback on complaint resolution, the commissioner's physical inspection of Wards 13 and 14 uncovered significant shortcomings. The areas were found wanting in terms of overall sanitation and the presence of illegal encroachments on public spaces.
Dissatisfied with these findings, Commissioner Babu delivered stern instructions to the responsible ward officers. He directed them to prioritize these issues and ensure visible improvement within a strict timeframe.
A Strict One-Week Deadline Issued
Commissioner Arun Mahesh Babu left no room for ambiguity in his orders. He gave the ward officers a clear deadline of one week to clean up their jurisdictions and remove all encroachments.
"I told them to resolve these issues within one week. If it is not done, we may consider action regarding the matter," Babu stated, underscoring the seriousness of the directive. This warning implies potential administrative or disciplinary action against officers who fail to deliver results.
The commissioner also visited the Ward 6 office and indicated that similar surprise inspections would continue in other wards in the coming days. This strategy is intended to keep civic officials consistently alert and active in their duties.
Broader Civic Oversight Continues
Beyond the ward inspections, Commissioner Babu's schedule on Monday also included reviewing infrastructure projects. He visited sites where new bridges are under construction to personally assess the progress of these development works.
This combination of micro-level checks on ward cleanliness and macro-level monitoring of projects highlights a comprehensive approach to urban governance. The clear message from the VMC leadership is that accountability and timely execution are non-negotiable.
