Indian Express 9.09.2009
5 fountains in state of neglect, MC plans one for each Chandigarh ward
Despite the Municipal Corporation not being able to maintain the five fountains recently installed in the city, the civic plans to install such fountains in every ward of the city.
Councillors say the idea of city beautification should not be restricted to just a few wards. It, they add, should be extended to the entire city.
The MC has already spent around Rs 20 lakh each on the five fountains installed in three wards. The cost of installing these fountains in the remaining 23 wards would be around Rs 4 crore.
This, when the existing fountains are often out of order.
The fountain in Sector 46 was non-functional till the beginning of this week. And others installed in sectors 27 and 28 were non-functional for around a fortnight. They were repaired after the issue was taken up in the House.
"Around Rs 22 lakh was spent in installing a fountain in Sector 46. It remained defunct for more than a week after some parts were stolen. If the MC cannot maintain these fountains, there is no point installing more," councillor Ravinder Pal Singh says. "If the councillors demand that these fountains be installed in their wards too, the officials should tell them the pros and cons," he adds. "A fence should be put around the fountains to prevent thefts. And the maintenance contract should be increased to five years instead of one."
The decision to install these fountains was taken last year to beautify the green belts. These were installed in sectors 27, 28, 46 and 22. Apart from those in Sector 22, others haven't been functioning properly -- one reason is the theft of various parts.
Fountains in sectors 27 and 28 were installed around six months ago. Area councillor Devinder Singh Babla says the fountains remain defunct most of the time. "It was only after I raised the issue in the House that they were repaired. When such a large amount is being spent on these fountains, care should be taken to maintain them," he says.
Mayor Kamlesh, on the other hand, has suggested that stone fountains be installed. She said the cost of installing and maintaining them would be less.
MC's constant headache: thefts
The Municipal Corporation usually faces the problem of items being stolen from parks and green belts. Items like railings and benches frequently become the target of thieves. The thefts are more frequent in gardens and green belts near the colonies. A complaint has been given to the police, but these items continue to be stolen.
