Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla launches ‘Women for Trees’ campaign under AMRUT Mitra

MC Chandigarh empowering Women SHGs through Tree planting initiatives

Chandigarh, May 21:- City Mayor Smt. Harpreet Kaur Babla launched The Municipal Corporation Chandigarh the “Women for Trees” campaign—a flagship initiative under the AMRUT Mitra programme initiated by MoHUA. This campaign has been officially launched from the Community Centre, Sarangpur in the presence of Sh. Amit Kumar, IAS, Commissioner, Sh. Sumit Sihag, Joint Commissioner, Sh. Sanjay Arora, Chief Engineer, Sh. Ram Chander Yadav, area councilor, other senior officers of MCC and office bearers of city level Self Help Groups.

Inspired by the Government of India’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative, this gender-inclusive programme aims to strengthen urban green spaces and build climate resilience by actively engaging Self-Help Groups (SHGs), particularly women, in tree plantation and environmental stewardship. The implementation of the campaign is being led by teams from AMRUT and DAY-NULM under the MC Chandigarh.

The Mayor and Commissioner distributed campaign kits to 100 volunteers of city level Self Help Groups to be used during the three days programme. Students from Govt. Sr. Secondary school, Sector 37 presented welcome song besides songs & poems to save trees and value of planting and growing trees in surroundings.

Addressing the office bearers and members of city level Self Help Groups, the Mayor said that tree planting initiatives can provide women with diverse economic opportunities. For instance, women can be involved in nursery establishment, planting, and maintenance activities, generating income, and creating employment opportunities. She said that when women have access to these opportunities, it leads to a ripple effect that positively impacts entire communities and economies.

The Mayor further said that tree planting can also empower women socially. Women can gain valuable skills and knowledge by participating in community-based initiatives, such as agroforestry techniques, nursery management, and business development. These skills can enhance their self-confidence and enable them to take on community leadership roles.

She further said that tree planting can also foster social cohesion and strengthen community bonds. Women can work together to establish and manage tree nurseries, plant trees, and monitor their growth. This collaborative effort can empower women to address challenges and advocate for their rights collectively.

While sharing about the campaign, Sh. Amit Kumar, MC Commissioner said that the initiative will roll out in three distinct phases: Phase I (21st – 23rd May 2025): SHGs, along with AMRUT and DAY-NULM officials, will conduct site visits, carry out assessments, and develop plans for plantation.

Phase II (5th June – 31st August 2025): Tree planting activities will take place across designated areas such as parks, water bodies, and other public spaces. Phase III (2025–2026): A digital platform will be used to geotag and monitor the growth and maintenance of the planted trees.

He further said that in Chandigarh, the selected locations include big parks, green belts, neighborhood parks, water treatment plants and compounds in community centres throughout city. By integrating environmental sustainability with women’s empowerment, the “Women for Trees” initiative aims to foster a sense of community ownership over urban green infrastructure. He added.

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Enforcement Committee to Conduct Citywide Survey and to review current status of street Vendors

Chandigarh, May 21:-A meeting of the Enforcement Committee, Municipal Corporation Chandigarh was held here today under the chairmanship of Sh. Rajinder Sharma. The meeting was attended by Senior Deputy Mayor Sh. Jasbir Singh Bunty, Councillors Sh. Yogesh Dhingra and Sh. Dharminder Singh, along with concerned officials of MCC.

The committee unanimously resolved to initiate a citywide survey aimed at assessing the present status and distribution of street vendors operating across Chandigarh. The objective of the survey is to gather accurate data regarding the number of vendors, their locations, nature of goods and services offered, and the challenges they face.

This comprehensive exercise will serve as a foundation for formulating effective policies and regulations to ensure organized vending zones, improve public convenience, and maintain civic order. It will also help in identifying unauthorized encroachments and ensuring that the rights of registered vendors are protected in accordance with the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act.

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Delegation from Karnataka visits Chandigarh

City Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla welcomes the delegation at MC office

Chandigrh, May 21:- A delegation from Karnataka paid a daylong visit to Chandigarh to study best practices of the local Municipal Corporation. The delegation was of 16 councillors and two officers.

The visit started with the presentation on best practices of Municipal Corporation at the MC office, Sector 17. Later, they were taken for site visits of MC’s projects too.

City Mayor Smt. Harpreet Kaur Babla and MC Commissioner Sh. Amit Kumar, IAS welcomed the delegation at MC office followed by a brief introduction of the projects and best practices and functions of the MC Chandigarh.

They gave a brief presentation on solid waste management system, segregation waste system, maintenance of roads, water supply system, maintenance of gardens and green belts, streetlights, tertiary treated water supply, Storm water management, Sewerage Treatment Plants, processing of construction and demolition (C&D) waste plant, horticulture waste processing plant, property tax, management of Gaushalas, vendor rehabilitation system and other projects of the MCC. The Delegation appreciated the operation and maintenance of the city and water supply system & solid management system in the city.

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MC Parking panel reviews operation & maintenance project of Smart parking solutions on PPP model

Meeting called of all stakeholders for suggestions

Chandigarh, May 21:- A review meeting of subcommittee constituted for preparing RFP of Smart parking solutions was held here today under the chairmanship of Sh. Saurabh Joshi, councilor and attended by other members of the sub committee namely Sh. Umesh Ghai, Smt. Jaswinder Kaur, Sh. Sumeet Sihag, Joint Commissioner, other concerned officers of MCC and Stakeholders from the city.

During the review meeting the stakeholders suggested that in the paid parking areas, the earmarking for car, scooter be made in each paid parking lots, pits in the roads and parking areas be repaired, provision of car parking at the backside of showrooms and for customer at front of showrooms be made, manpower be deployed as per the parking norms.

The committee members and the stakeholders further suggested that an automated system in paid parking areas be implemented like fastag provision, monthly pass, use of stencils for each paid parking areas, city pass for public, pre-paid cards system be implemented, provision of fire brigade in paid parking lots to avoid any untoward situation, and earmarking of differently able persons.

The stakeholders suggested that there should be provision of display boards at each paid parking area for information for the general public of availability of parking space for the four and two wheelers and parking rates should be displayed in this board in the round figures for the convenience of general public.

The committee and stakeholders given other valuable suggestions including provision of digital board capacity for real time parking availability, promotion of underground parking, provision of CCTV camera in each paid parking areas and development of mobile application for parking guidance for promotion of digital payment and avoid cash system. They suggested that the Smart parking project should be hundred percent automation basis, no manual intervention should be involved and redressal system also needs to be created for the convenience of general public.