The Voice of Chandigarh :

The Chief Secretary, Union Territory, Chandigarh, Shri H. Rajesh Prasad, IAS, chaired a meeting of the Engineering Department to review the progress of important ongoing construction and maintenance projects related to roads, Government and institutional buildings.

The Chief Secretary emphasized the need for innovation, efficiency and accountability in ensuring that the city’s infrastructure keeps pace with its growing administrative and civic needs.

A comprehensive presentation was made regarding the sanctioned strength of technical staff, vacancy position and efforts being made for filling up the vacant posts. The Chief Secretary directed for expeditious filling up of vacant posts, particularly in the technical cadre, to impart efficiency to the execution of works.

He stressed that the Engineering Department plays a pivotal role in the planning, development and maintenance of the city’s infrastructure and time-bound execution of projects must be ensured. The Chief Secretary directed the department to closely monitor and identify bottlenecks in the execution of projects and take appropriate actions in consultation with other departments where inter-departmental issues are involved.

The Chief Secretary directed that new proposals/schemes which require approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs in view of the revised delegation of financial powers be expeditiously submitted to the Ministry for concurrence. He further directed the department to ensure adherence to timelines in the execution of projects and to utilize the allocated budget for the financial year 2025–26.

During the meeting, the Chief Secretary was briefed on the department’s major initiatives and best practices. The privatisation of power distribution in Chandigarh was noted as a landmark reform aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, improving service delivery and minimizing transmission losses. The restoration and preservation of the Capitol Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was also discussed, and details of works being undertaken were presented. The Department’s move towards adopting GIS and Artificial Intelligence technologies for road maintenance was noted as a significant step in using data-driven tools for urban infrastructure management. The Department’s green initiatives, including the use of environmentally sustainable materials, the promotion of energy-efficient lighting and the integration of urban greening efforts in city planning, were apprised.

The Chief Secretary reviewed the major projects that have contributed to the city’s infrastructural growth. Notable among them is the new Hostel Block in Sector 50, Kajheri School and the IT Block in Sector 46, which have enhanced the educational and community infrastructure. Additionally, the construction of 144 government houses at Dhanas and the Emergency Block at GMCH-32 were highlighted as key developments aimed at strengthening the housing and healthcare infrastructure of the Union Territory.

The Chief Secretary directed that focused attention be given to accelerate the execution of various projects by resolving coordination issues among various Departments and the uptake of emerging engineering technologies. He further directed the Department to strengthen monitoring systems to ensure that all projects meet the highest standards of quality and safety. The Chief Secretary stressed the need to align future initiatives with the broader vision of sustainable and citizen-centric urban development.The Chief Secretary reiterated the Administration’s resolve to make Chandigarh a model city through efficient governance, sustainable infrastructure and the preservation of its architectural and cultural heritage.

The meeting was attended by Ms. Prerna Puri, IAS, Secretary Engineering, Sh. C.B. Ojha, Chief Engineer, UT and all Superintending Engineers of Engineering Department.