Articles by Mandeep Kaur Narula
Chandigarh: Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla to call councillors’ meet over new ‘Smart Parking’ plan
Says would like the councillors’ feedback before tabling it in the House on June 27; officials said the revamped project will have a vehicle-stay tracking system, ‘pink parking zones’ for women, internet connectivity for real-time parking management, option of pre-booking paid parking slots, and pre-paid parking cards.
Published on Jun 22, 2025 08:22 AM IST
Mandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh
Chandigarh MC collects ₹62 crore in property tax in 2 months
Of the ₹62 crore collected so far, ₹26.17 crore has been contributed by residential property owners and ₹35.42 crore by commercial properties. This marks a substantial increase compared to the ₹38.59 crore collected during the same period last year.
Published on Jun 21, 2025 10:02 AM IST
Mandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh
Chandigarh: Funds in but wait continues for road repairs as monsoon approaches
Chandigarh MC had decided to carpet only ‘priority’ roads in view of the fund crunch, but it is yet to identify those, ₹10 cr available for work
Published on Jun 19, 2025 10:06 AM IST
Mandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh
Power outages leave Chandigarh tricity gasping in stifling heat
With mercury not offering any respite even after sunset, power infrastructure is buckling under rising load; Mohali is the worst-hit
Published on Jun 14, 2025 09:44 AM IST
Tomato prices soar in Chandigarh as scorching heat hits supply
Tomatoes are pinching the pockets of Chandigarh residents as retail outlets are selling them at ₹60 per kg, with high-quality produce nearing ₹80 per kg
Published on Jun 13, 2025 10:04 AM IST
Mandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh
Chandigarh MC goes after encroachers, illegal vendors as crackdown gains steam
The crackdown is targeting street vendors operating without licences and shopkeepers displaying their goods outside their designated premises, encroaching upon footpaths and walkways, not even sparing walls and ceilings in some places.
Published on Jun 13, 2025 09:46 AM IST
Mandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh
Chandigarh: 5 BJP faces among six new members in advisory council
The move is being seen as a bid to placate the local BJP unit, who had cried foul after the council’s reconstitution in December, stating that only those having connections with the new local leadership had been considered while those who had been working for the city and party for years, had been left out.
Published on Jun 12, 2025 09:56 AM IST
Mandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh
Chandigarh MC brings in advanced technology to keep illegal vendors off streets
Chandigarh MC ramps up efforts to identify and remove illegal vendors to make market areas more orderly for shoppers and shopkeepers alike
Published on Jun 08, 2025 08:14 AM IST
Mandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh
Now, Chandigarh MC aims to clear out Dadumajra dump by July
Chandigarh municipal commissioner Amit Kumar said, “At present, around 1 LMT of waste is left for bio-remediation. We have enhanced the daily processing capacity to 6,000 MT waste and have sped up the work.”
Published on Jun 06, 2025 10:14 AM IST
Mandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh
After 5 years, Chandigarh MC stumbles upon ₹11 cr unused funds
The UT administration had released ₹102 crore in 2019-20 for developmental projects in 13 villages which had been merged with Chandigarh in 2018, and nine other villages already within the municipal limits. Out of this, ₹11 crore remained unutilised all these years.
Published on May 29, 2025 10:08 AM IST
Mandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh
Chandigarh: 5 years on, erstwhile villages await funds for infra boost
Potholed roads, absence of storm water drainage system, supply of contaminated water and overflowing sewage are among the most common issues flagged by local residents
Published on May 28, 2025 08:56 AM IST
Mandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh
Monsoon closing in, but Chandigarh MC only halfway through clearing drains
Chandigarh MC is tasked with cleaning a total of 30,452 road gullies and stormwater drains across the city, a crucial step to ensure smooth drainage during heavy rains; however, only 13,500 gullies have been cleaned so far
Published on May 27, 2025 10:26 AM IST
Mandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh
Storm passes but Chandigarh residents’ electricity troubles linger on
Congress deputy mayor Taruna Mehta also wrote a letter to Punjab governor and UT administrator Gulab Chand Katarai on Thursday and complained against electricity supply issues in Chandigarh post-privatisation.
Published on May 23, 2025 10:02 AM IST
Mandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh
Chandigarh: As power demand surges, residents feel the heat
Tricity faces severe power outages amid rising temperatures, with residents enduring prolonged blackouts due to outdated infrastructure and staff shortages.
Published on May 22, 2025 09:38 AM IST
Chandigarh MC lays off 332 tubewell staff amid fiscal crunch
Now, however, the new tender floated by the MC includes only 332 sanctioned posts for tubewell operation—formally eliminating the positions of the remaining workers.
Published on May 22, 2025 09:36 AM IST
Mandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh
225km of UT roads in ‘very poor’ condition, need urgent repairs worth ₹33 crore
The road recarpeting work, usually carried out during March-April and October-November due to favourable weather conditions, has remained suspended since May 2024.
Published on May 21, 2025 08:36 AM IST
Mandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh
Chandigarh: Each ward to get ₹25L to resume devp works amid cash crunch
Due to the ongoing fiscal crisis, no fresh tenders have been floated since May last year. The stagnation brought Chandigarh’s local infrastructure development to a standstill.
Published on May 21, 2025 05:44 AM IST
Mandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh
Chandigarh MC’s staff crunch throws parking lots out of gear
Poor management, inadequate staffing, and the lack of accountability have resulted in mounting complaints from residents and market associations
Updated on May 18, 2025 05:44 AM IST
Mandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh
Chandigarh MC looking at unipoles to raise revenue
With the green signal for less than half the requested number, the Chandigarh civic body is now working on drafting a comprehensive set of terms and conditions, aimed at maximising revenue from outdoor advertising
Published on May 18, 2025 05:37 AM IST
Mandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh
Chandigarh: Soon, pay more for MC’s fire vehicles
At present, ₹551/hour per vehicle is charged for hosting events in Chandigarh; in a new proposal, the MC is set to revise the rate to ₹5,000/hour per vehicle for five hours only, subject to ₹25,000, along with GST as applicable from time to time
Published on May 17, 2025 09:46 AM IST
Mandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh
Chandigarh learns its lessons, to install more sirens, bolster civil defence
Deputy commissioner Nishant Yadav said that 30 more sirens have been ordered and will be installed after a detailed mapping of Chandigarh
Published on May 13, 2025 10:38 AM IST
Mandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh
MC takes U-turn, drops plan to regularise 2,888 positions
This dramatic reversal comes just a month after the MC House had overwhelmingly approved the regularisation move aimed at stabilising its workforce and ensuring job security for outsourced staff who have been working on extended contracts for years
Published on May 13, 2025 09:58 AM IST
Mandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh
Divert RLA revenue to MC for road repairs, Chandigarh mayor appeals to governor again
Amid Chandigarh MC’s debilitating financial crunch, essential road carpeting work in the city has not been undertaken for the second consecutive season this year after no repairs through 2024
Published on May 07, 2025 08:44 AM IST
Mandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh
Chandigarh MC’s ad plan for public toilets stalls amid zero bids
Advertisement on public toilets has long posed a challenge for the MC; over the past five years, the civic body has failed to generate sustained revenue from the initiative
Published on May 06, 2025 09:30 AM IST
Mandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh
Chandigarh MC to bring in vigil squad to rein in encroachments after dark
Though municipal commissioner Amit Kumar had initially extended the enforcement duty hours from 7 pm to 8 pm, and then further extended them up to 10 pm, enforcement teams have struggled to contain the surge of illegal vending activities across Chandigarh after the duty hours
Published on May 03, 2025 09:52 AM IST
Mandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh
Chandigarh MC House clears tax hike for govt properties too
Former BJP mayor Anup Gupta moves agenda in meeting, questioning why the tax jump was imposed solely on city residents while govt buildings were exempted
Published on May 01, 2025 08:54 AM IST
Mandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh
Chandigarh: BJP-led MC House greenlights parking fee hike with no bumps
The proposal zipped through in the absence of councillors from opposition Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), who had already staged a walkout after accusing the BJP of burdening residents with back-to-back tax hikes — including the recent increase in property tax and electricity cess
Published on May 01, 2025 08:34 AM IST
Mandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh
Chandigarh: Stiffer fine for unpaid water bills in pipeline
The agenda will be discussed in the MC General House meeting on Wednesday, along with other crucial agendas, including hike in parking rates under the proposed Smart Parking project and a new Fire Safety Act for Chandigarh, among others
Published on Apr 30, 2025 08:40 AM IST
Mandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh
Chandigarh MC proposes new Act to bring more buildings under fire safety norms
Currently, the Delhi Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Act, 1986, is applicable in Chandigarh. This Act mandates fire safety certificates (FSC) only for buildings taller than 15 metres (high-rises). However, MC officials pointed out that even the Delhi government has repealed this legislation and replaced it with the Delhi Fire Service Act, 2007.
Published on Apr 29, 2025 09:36 AM IST
Mandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh
Now, parking fee hike to hit wallets in Chandigarh
After the steep rise in property tax and collector rates by Chandigarh administration, the municipal corporation is also proposing a sharp jump in parking rates
Published on Apr 27, 2025 08:28 AM IST
Mandeep Kaur Narula, Chandigarh