Chandigarh, September 8: In a significant move to strengthen transparency, accountability and people’s participation in civic development, Chandigarh Mayor Sh. Saurabh Joshi today launched an Area-Level Residents’ Monitoring Initiative, empowering citizens to directly monitor the quality and progress of development works in their respective areas.

Under the initiative, Area-Level Committees comprising eminent and technically experienced residents—including retired engineers, professors, doctors and other professionals—will regularly inspect ongoing development works and keep track of their execution.

The committees will monitor whether works are being carried out in accordance with the approved scope, specifications and allotted cost displayed by the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh at the work sites. Any deficiency, deviation or delay noticed by the committee can be brought to the attention of the concerned officials for timely corrective action.

The initiative seeks to transform residents from merely being beneficiaries of development into active stakeholders in Chandigarh’s development process.

Taking the initiative forward, Mayor Saurabh Joshi today marked the commencement of the upgradation of Joggers Park in Sector 15 and repair and renovation of fountains in parks of Sectors 15 and 24. The newly constituted Area-Level Residents’ Committee will monitor the progress and quality of these works.

«“Development is done with public money, and citizens have every right to know what is being built, how much is being spent and whether the promised quality is being delivered. Our mantra is simple—Public Money, Public Monitoring. Citizens will now become partners in ensuring quality, transparency and timely execution of development works,” said Mayor Saurabh Joshi.»

He added that the Residents’ Committees would serve as an important bridge between citizens and the Municipal Corporation, strengthening trust and accountability at the grassroots level.

The development works are aimed at improving the condition, aesthetics and facilities of public parks and creating better recreational spaces for morning walkers, joggers, senior citizens, children and other residents.

The fountain renovation project covers two fountains in Sector 15, including the Floral Sculpture Garden, and two fountains in Sector 24, at an allotted cost of ₹26.93 lakh.

The project includes improvements to lighting and water systems through submersible lights, SS-304 fixtures, automatic colour-changing controllers, new control panels, nozzles, water-column nozzles, brass ball valves and durable piping. Necessary civil repairs and tile restoration will also be undertaken. The stipulated completion period is six months.

Area-Level Residents’ Monitoring Committee

Prof. Sunil Sharma — Head of Committee
Sh. Raj Kumar Sahdev — Co-Convener
Sh. Charanjeet — Co-Convener

Sh. Rajneesh Sharma — Member
Sh. Ramesh Kumar Sood — Member
Sh. Sanjeev Bansal — Member
Sh. Prithvi Sharma, Chief Engineer — Member
Sh. Jasjeet Singh Bhalla — Member
Sh. Gurpreet Singh Mokha — Member
Sh. Krishan — Member
Er. S.K. Gupta — Member

The committee will periodically inspect the works, assess progress against the displayed specifications and approved cost, interact with executing officials and communicate residents’ feedback wherever necessary.

The programme was attended by public representatives of Chandigarh and officers and officials of the Municipal Corporation.

Mayor Saurabh Joshi said the initiative would be progressively extended across Chandigarh as a citizen-centric monitoring mechanism for development works, making public participation an integral part of the city’s development model.

“Chandigarh’s development will not only be for the people—it will be monitored with the people.”

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