“Our aim is to make the entire Ambala Cantonment free from open drains”: Energy Minister Anil Vij starts layiny ₹58-crore storm water drainage project in other areas of Cantonment after completion of ₹65-crore project in Sadar area

“People have given me their strength and blessings, enabling us to undertake countless development projects to make Ambala Cantonment beautiful and developed”: Anil Vij

Anil Vij seeks public cooperation for storm water pipeline project, says cooperation will ensure better execution and greater public convenience

₹58-crore storm water pipeline network to cover several colonies from Jagadhri Road to the railway line, besides Lal Kurti, BC Bazaar and other areas

Chandigarh, September 13: Haryana Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Sh. Anil Vij said that continuous efforts are being made to transform the overall landscape of Ambala Cantonment. He said that a ₹65-crore storm water drainage pipeline project had earlier been completed in the old Sadar area of Ambala Cantonment to ensure rapid drainage of rainwater. As a result, waterlogging during the monsoon has been effectively addressed, while the problem of flies and mosquitoes has also been reduced significantly.

“Our aim now is to make the entire Ambala Cantonment free from open drains. We want the whole city to become open-drain free. Keeping this objective in mind, work on a new storm water drainage pipeline project costing approximately ₹58 crore is being commenced today from Ekta Vihar. This project will provide significant relief and convenience to the people,” he said.

Sh. Vij said that upon completion, the area would become free from open drains. He said that storm water pipelines are currently being laid from Govind Nagar on Jagadhri Road towards the Saharanpur railway line and up to the Tangri embankment. The Energy Minister directed Public Health Department XEN Harbhajan Singh to constitute three to four teams so that storm water drainage pipeline work could be undertaken simultaneously in Lal Kurti, BC Bazaar, Outer Large Road and Ekta Vihar. He further directed that the levels of the existing drains in Ekta Vihar be corrected before carrying out the pipeline work so that rainwater can be drained smoothly during the monsoon.

Sh. Vij said that the next phase would involve laying storm water drainage pipelines from Jagadhri Road towards the Defence Colony area, which would eventually help make the entire Ambala Cantonment free from open drains. “The strength and blessings given by the people have enabled us to undertake countless development works in Ambala Cantonment,” he said.

Earlier, upon his arrival at the programme, SDM Kanika Goyal welcomed Sh. Vij with a bouquet, while BJP workers and other dignitaries accorded him a warm welcome by presenting flower garlands. Transport Minister Anil Vij formally inaugurated the construction work by breaking a coconut.

Anil Vij appeals to residents to extend cooperation

Energy Minister Anil Vij said that during the laying of storm water pipelines, the platforms and structures outside residents’ houses would have to be removed at certain locations to facilitate the work. He appealed to residents to extend their full cooperation during the execution of the project. He said that residents had extended complete cooperation when storm water pipelines were laid in the Sadar area earlier, and as a result, the drainage system there has improved considerably.

“Congress focused on taking credit rather than developing the city”: Anil Vij

Energy Minister Anil Vij said that Congress remained in power for 60 to 70 years, with its leaders serving as Prime Ministers and Chief Ministers, but the party did not give adequate priority to the development of the city and instead focused on taking credit. He said that the government had constructed an 8-kilometre-long embankment along the Tangri river and connected it with the GT Road. Underpasses and overbridges have also been constructed in place of four railway crossings, with only the overbridge at Machhonda remaining to be completed.

“The Tangri river existed even before we were born, but successive Congress governments did not strengthen and make the embankment along the river permanent. As soon as the BJP government came to power, we undertook this work and provided protection from flooding to lakhs of people,” he said. Taking a jibe at the Opposition, Sh. Vij said that whenever one or two feet of water accumulates somewhere during heavy rains, the Opposition starts a “photo shoot”. “During the Congress regime, boats used to ply in Ambala during the monsoon,” he remarked.

The Cabinet Minister said that the Tangri river has been dredged to strengthen flood protection, while the capacity of pumps at the Mahesh Nagar Pump House has also been enhanced and new pumps installed.

₹22-crore tender allotted to strengthen remaining portion of Mahesh Nagar Drain: Anil Vij

Energy Minister Anil Vij said that ₹22 crore has been sanctioned for strengthening and concretising the remaining portion of the Mahesh Nagar Drain, and the work has already been allotted. He said that work would commence after the monsoon season. The design of the drain has been prepared by IIT Roorkee, which will facilitate better cleaning and maintenance of the drain through machinery in the future.

“Closing the central drain transformed the lives of people living nearby”: Anil Vij

Energy Minister Anil Vij said that the central drain in the Sadar area has been closed and underground pipelines have been laid, which has greatly benefited local residents and changed their lives. “Earlier, people used to identify their homes by saying that they lived along the drain. Today, with the underground pipeline in place, people can comfortably sit outside their homes and use the space,” he said.

Several major projects undertaken for the development of Ambala Cantonment: Anil Vij

Energy Minister Anil Vij said that several major development projects had already been undertaken in Ambala Cantonment, many of which are now visible on the ground. Listing some of the major projects, he mentioned the canal water supply project, Government College Ambala Cantonment, Ambala Cantonment Bus Stand, Grain Market, Shaheedi Smarak, Science Museum, SDM Office, Ambala Cantonment, Civil Hospital Ambala Cantonment, Atal Cancer Care Centre, FIFA-approved Football Stadium, All-Weather Swimming Pool, Gymnastics Hall, Badminton Hall, Bank Square, Municipal Council Office, Vyayamshalas, Subhash Park and the NCDC Centre, among several other development projects.

SDM Kanika Goyal, Municipal Council President Swarnjit Kaur, Vice-President Lalita Prasad, Mandal President Harsh Bindra, Mandal President Ravi Budhiraja, BJP office-bearers Jasbir Singh Jassi, Surendra Bindra, Bijendra Chauhan, Aarti Sehgal, Madan Lal Sharma, Advocate Punit Sarpal, Raman Chhatwal, Fakir Chand Saini, Executive Engineer Harbhajan Singh and other concerned officials and dignitaries were present on the occasion.

==============================

*“Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s entire life has been dedicated to service; under his leadership, the country has achieved several major milestones”: Energy Minister Anil Vij*

*“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has enhanced India’s stature”: Anil Vij*

*“During previous governments, we were limited to paying tributes; under Modi ji, we enter the homes of terrorists and strike them”: Vij*

*Energy Minister Anil Vij addresses gathering ahead of ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’ to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday and 25 years of dedicated public service*Chandigarh, September 13: Haryana Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Sh. Anil Vij said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday would be observed as “Seva Sankalp Abhiyan”. He said that if one looks at the life of Prime Minister Modi, it becomes evident that his entire life has been dedicated to serving the people.

CHANDIGARH, 13.09.26- Sh. Vij was addressing people and party workers this evening at Farooka Khalsa School, Ambala Cantonment, regarding the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, which will be organised from September 17 to October 17 to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday and 25 years of his dedicated public service.

He said that Prime Minister Modi has introduced numerous schemes for the welfare of the people, including the Ayushman Bharat card, Ujjwala Yojana, annual financial assistance of ₹6,000 to farmers, and several other initiatives. “This is why the programme has been named ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’. The kind of service Prime Minister Modi has rendered during his tenure as Chief Minister and Prime Minister, and the achievements of his life, cannot be adequately described through any single speech,” he said.

*“India’s stature has risen across the world under Prime Minister Modi”: Anil Vij*

Energy Minister Anil Vij said that the BRICS Summit is being hosted in India, and people from major countries are standing alongside India’s Prime Minister, which is a matter of pride for the country. He said that the respect Indians command abroad today is largely due to Prime Minister Modi. “He has enhanced India’s prestige across the world,”Vij said. Sharing his own experience of travelling abroad, he said that the respect Indians receive across the world today was not seen in the past. He attributed this change to Prime Minister Modi and said that the Prime Minister has helped Indians attain a more dignified position globally.

*“Under Modi’s leadership, India gave a befitting response to terrorism”: Anil Vij*

Energy Minister Anil Vij said that during Operation Sindoor last year, India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gave a befitting response to Pakistan without seeking assistance from any other country. He alleged that due to the “mistakes” of previous governments, India lost territory in Jammu and Kashmir. He referred to Aksai Chin and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in this context and said that the entire region could otherwise have been part of India.

Sh. Vij said there was a major difference between the previous governments and the present government in dealing with terrorism. “Earlier, terrorists would enter the country from across the border, kill innocent people and leave, while we were limited to paying tributes. But now, if such an act takes place, we enter their territory and strike them,” he said. He added that India is now recognised across the world as a country that is capable of taking action against forces threatening its national security and sovereignty.

*“We have fulfilled every responsibility by putting our lives on the line; politics for us is not a business opportunity, but an opportunity to serve”: Anil Vij*

Energy Minister Anil Vij said that the history of Ambala Cantonment has been that whenever a responsibility has been entrusted to its people, they have fulfilled it with complete dedication and commitment. “This is our history. The people of this district have elected me as their MLA seven times based on my work and performance,” he said. Referring to the recent Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, Vij said that among the four Assembly constituencies in the district, the BJP emerged victorious only in Ambala Cantonment, which, he said, was due to the hard work and strength of party workers. He said, “Whatever we have been able to accomplish has been possible because of the strength of our workers.” Sh.Vij said that he has been associated with the BJP organisation since his childhood, since 1970, and that one principle had always been instilled in him: “Politics is not an opportunity for business; politics is an opportunity to serve.”

*“Our party and government are dedicated to public service”: Anil Vij*

Energy Minister Anil Vij said that the programme has been named Seva Sankalp because the party and government are committed to serving the people. He said that all schemes and initiatives undertaken by the government have consistently been aimed at public welfare. He said that during the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, the lighting of diyas would be undertaken as a collective activity. He urged party workers to ensure that a diya is lit at the home of every beneficiary. Vij directed the BJP Mandal Presidents, Mandal in-charges and other workers to ensure that every beneficiary’s home is covered under the diya-lighting initiative.

*Anil Vij briefs workers on various initiatives under Seva Sankalp Abhiyan*

CHANDIGARH, 13.09.26-Energy Minister Anil Vij said that several initiatives have been planned as part of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, which party workers would undertake collectively. He said that on September 17, a “blessing diya” would be lit and every household should be covered. “Ambala should appear as if the entire city is celebrating Diwali,” he said. He added that diyas could also be lit at places where development works and major projects have been completed in Ambala Cantonment. He said that the list of development works undertaken is extensive and there are numerous locations where such initiatives can be carried out.

During his address, Energy Minister Anil Vij also urged workers and the public to participate enthusiastically in various other initiatives under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, including Mere Sapno Ka Bharat Chitra Seva, Namo Seva–Ankahi Kahaniyan, Aangan Milan Seva, Seva Ki Kahani, Vadnagar–Varanasi Seva Yatra, Seva Jyoti Kalash Yatra–Sankalp of Viksit Bharat, Seva Mera Yogdan, Seva Setu Abhiyan, Seva Ke Rang–Rashtra Ke Sang, Seva First Innovation Challenge and Sushasan Seva Diwas.

He called for these initiatives to be undertaken with maximum public participation and collective involvement.

On the occasion, BJP leaders Deepak Sharma, Rajesh Bataura, Sanjeev Soni, Municipal Council President Swarn Kaur, Vice-President Lalita Prasad, Rajiv Dimple, Surendra Bindra, Kiranpal Chauhan, Balwinder Shahpur, Ajay Baweja, Madan Lal Sharma, Tarvinder Singh, Jasbir Jassi, Vijender Chauhan, B.S. Bindra, Sudarshan Singh Sehgal, Ravi Budhiraja, Harsh Bindra, Vikas Bahgal, Ravi Sehgal and others were present.

---------------