Contentious MC house session spotlights drainage, rushed approvals
The General House of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) saw tense exchanges on Thursday as councillors from opposition parties pressed for a full discussion on waterlogging and drainage problems that affected parts of the city during recent rains. The House began with the Mayor announcing withdrawal of several agendas to be placed before the next meeting for detailed deliberation, after which opposition members demanded an immediate debate on civic services and governance.
Opposition councillors from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress sought answers on the city’s poor drainage and persistent waterlogging, saying the issue had caused hardship during recent rainfall. Earlier, AAP activists staged a protest outside the Municipal Corporation office, carrying placards and symbolic boats while alleging that the BJP-run civic body had failed to respond adequately to the situation.
The Mayor, Saurabh Joshi, said opposition members were responsible for disrupting the House and alleged they had been absent during meetings but later raised objections about the manner in which agendas were passed.
Councillors pointed to the way a batch of table development agendas had been handled at the meeting held on July 31. According to records mentioned in the House, 16 table agendas with a combined value of just over ₹250 crore were approved in what several members described as a hurried process. One large item among these was a proposed water supply project of ₹227 crore; opposition members said the project had been cleared without adequate details being provided to the House.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total table agendas passed (July 31) | 16 |
| Combined value | Over ₹250 crore |
| Notable project | Water supply project — ₹227 crore |
Several BJP councillors also registered dissent, criticising the procedure adopted for passing the agendas without discussion. Opposition members argued that such approvals denied the House an opportunity to scrutinise project details, cost estimates and implementation timelines — matters of direct interest to residents who will be affected by civic works and tariffs.
Issues raised and responses
Key concerns highlighted in the meeting included:
- Drainage infrastructure — councillors asked for an assessment of existing drains and urgent steps to prevent waterlogging in low-lying sectors.
- Transparency on large projects — members demanded full project details, cost breakdowns and timelines before approvals are finalised.
- Procedure in the House — several councillors from different parties questioned the practice of passing multiple table agendas without prior debate.
The Mayor defended the administration’s conduct, accusing opposition councillors of not attending earlier meetings and of disrupting proceedings when they later raised objections. He announced that all withdrawn agendas would be tabled again at the next House meeting to allow detailed discussion.
The row underscores continuing tensions in the MC over governance and accountability. For residents, the immediate concerns are practical: whether the drainage network will be upgraded to reduce waterlogging during monsoon spells, and whether large projects such as the ₹227 crore water supply scheme will be subjected to adequate scrutiny before implementation.
With the Mayor committing to place the agendas before the next House, councillors will have another opportunity to seek clarifications and press for amendments. How the administration responds to requests for transparent project documentation and technical assessments will determine whether the contention within the House is resolved or deepened ahead of future sessions.
