The video of Kanpur Mayor Pramila Pandey throwing a file at a government official during a municipal meeting has sparked controversy and highlighted issues regarding cleanliness and drainage management in the city.
During the meeting of Kanpur Nagar Nigam, Mayor Pramila Pandey expressed her frustration over the status of drain cleaning projects. She was particularly displeased with Zone 3 executive engineer Nanak Chand presenting a report from March only in June, which indicated delays in progress. This delay further aggravated the Mayor, who emphasized the urgency of cleaning drains promptly to prevent issues during the upcoming monsoon season.
Mayor Pandey criticized the Health and Engineering Departments for the perceived negligence, stating that despite issuing orders for drain cleaning two months prior, the work had not been satisfactorily completed. She stressed the importance of removing encroachments to facilitate effective cleaning.
Furthermore, the Mayor was dissatisfied with the absence of engineers during site inspections and their failure to provide evidence of their visits. She rebuked their reluctance to visit sites during daylight hours, accusing them of working comfortably from air-conditioned offices without fully understanding the ground realities.
This incident follows another where Mayor Pandey took action against Metro officials by turning off their air conditioning and relocating them to halls, possibly as a disciplinary measure.
The viral video has brought attention to the challenges faced in municipal governance, particularly in managing public infrastructure projects effectively and holding officials accountable for their responsibilities. It underscores the need for improved coordination and execution of civic projects to meet the expectations of residents, especially during critical times such as the monsoon season when drainage systems play a crucial role in preventing flooding and health hazards.
