Chandigarh, August 16:- The Municipal Corporation Chandigarh has organized a simple function to commemorate the Independence Day in MCC building, Sector 17, on 15th August, 2025. Smt. Harpreet Kaur Babla, Mayor Chandigarh was the Chief Guest on the occasion. She hoisted the National flag in the presence of Sh. Amit Kumar, IAS, Commissioner, Sh. Pardeep Kumar, IAS, Special Commissioner, Sh. Jasbir Singh Bunty, Senior Deputy Mayor, other councilors and prominent persons of city.
While addressing the gathering the Mayor shared several remarkable achievements and visionary steps that are transforming Chandigarh into a clean, green, smart, and future-ready city.
She said that Chandigarh has made a giant leap in the Swachh Bharat rankings, moving from the 11th to the 2nd position nationally in cleanliness. This achievement reflects the tireless efforts of the Municipal Corporation team, sanitation workers, and the active cooperation of citizens.
The introduction of modern technology, such as automated sewer cleaning machines, along with rigorous monitoring and citizen participation, has played a crucial role in this success. “With continued dedication, I am confident Chandigarh will soon become the cleanest city in India,” said the Mayor.
She said a major milestone is underway at the city’s dumping ground, where most of the waste mountain has already been cleared. The work is expected to be fully completed by September, resulting in relief from foul odors and health risks, while significantly improving the city's environmental profile.
The Mayor further said that In line with its sustainability goals, the city is actively moving towards becoming plastic-free. The Municipal Corporation is promoting the use of eco-friendly cloth bags and conducting awareness and enforcement drives. Fines are being imposed on violators, reinforcing that this initiative is not just a regulation, but a collective responsibility toward a healthier planet.
She said the city has intensified efforts to enforce waste segregation at the household level through the use of two bins – for wet and dry waste. This simple yet crucial practice has significantly enhanced cleanliness and public health. Strict action is being taken against non-compliance.
She further said that in a first for any city in India, Chandigarh is set to implement an AI-based Smart Parking System through the Municipal Corporation. This transformative initiative will address parking challenges, streamline traffic, and offer citizens a modern, tech-driven urban experience with greater safety and convenience.
Speaking about revenue generation for sustainable development, the Mayor said that to boost resources for the city’s development, several strategic initiatives have been rolled out:
Gaushalas to be managed by NGOs for better animal care and revenue generation.
Fountain maintenance in parks and green belts to be handled by private agencies for improved upkeep.
Community gyms and fitness centers to be run by private agencies through a transparent process, ensuring enhanced service delivery and income opportunities.
These measures are designed to make Chandigarh a financially stronger and self-reliant urban model.
She emphasized that while citizens are enjoying their rights, they also bear responsibilities. The city’s journey toward excellence depends on public cooperation, civic sense, and shared accountability.
Earlier, the Mayor and Commissioner awarded commendation certificates to the following employees of MCC namely Smt. Neena Bhatia (Personal Assistant), Smt. Anshu Chandna (Sr. Assistant), Sh. Sunny Gupta (Sr. Assistant), Sh. Vishal Sharma (SDE B&R), Sh. Dildeep Singh (J.E. on Contract), Sh. Sarvjeet Singh (J.E. on Contract), Sh. Sanjiv Kumar (MTS, Outsource), Sh. Mandeep Singh (MTS, Outsource), Smt. Harjinder Kaur (JDM on Contract), Sh. Harjinder Singh (Beldar), Sh. Jaspal Singh (Sr. Assistant), Sh. Kulwant Singh (HDM), Sh. Sheelu Kumar (Mason), Sh. Rajinder Singh (MTS, Outsource), Sh. Ravinder Singh (MTS, Outsource),Smt. Nisha Rani ( Sr. Assistant), Sh. Shankar Pal (Mali, Daily Wage), Sh. Kushal Sharma (Supervisor, Outsource), Sh. Ayyappab(Mali, Outsource), Sh. Velautham (Mali, Outsource), Sh. Jasmer Singh (Head Mali), Sh. Gurinder Singh (Mali, Outsource), Sh. Sanjay Kumar (Mali, Outsource), Sh. Harpreet Singh (Lineman), Sh. Rayappan (Driver), Sh. Ashok Kataria (J.E.), Sh. Vinod Kumar (MTW), Sh. Raj Nath (Meter Inspector), Sh. Dinesh Kumar (Meter Reader), Mrs. Kanchan Ghai (MTW, Outsource), Ms. Manpreet Kaur (MTW, Outsource), Sh. Mustaq Mohd (MTW, Outsource), Sh. Rahul Arya (JDM), Sh. Rahul Sharma (Draftsman), Smt. Neetu Gupta (Steno-Typist), Sh. Harish Chander (Beldar), Sh. Shashi Tiwar (Head Mali), Sh. Samarjeet Singh (Supervisor, Outsource), Sh. Sanjeev Kumar (Clerk), Sh. Yogesh Kumar (Leading Fireman), Sh. Paramvir Thakur (WRDO), Sh. Mahesh Kumar (Central Store -Keeper), Sh. DasaundhiRam (Leading Fireman), Sh. Sandeep Khatri (Fireman), Sh. Mehar Singh (Driver), Sh. Sohanjit Mohan (Driver), Sh. Rakesh Kumar (CSI), Sh. Beeram Pal (Sanitary Inspector), Sh. Karamjit Singh (Safai Karamchari), Sh. Rishi Pal (Safai Karamchari, Daily Wage), Sh. Munish (Safai Karamchari, Outsource), Sh. Jackie Sharof Munish (Safai Karamchari, Outsource), Sh. Jagtar Munish (Safai Karamchari, Daily Wage), Sh. Raju (Safai Karamchari, Outsource), Sh. Ram Mehar (D2D Collector), Ms. Pooja (D2D Collector), Sh. Rakesh (D2D Collector), Sh. Sombir (D2D Collector) and Sh. Ram Kumar (Peon), Sh. Rashpal Singh & Sh. Gurbej Singh ( Security Guard).
In addition to that the Mayor and Commissioner awarded appreciation certificates to NGOs and social activists namely Ms. Anita Aswal (Social & Religious Activist), Sh. Arpit Dubey (Social Worker), Ms. Aashi Pathak (Social Activist), Sh. Shakti Kumar Shrivastva (Social Worker), Sh. Ishwar Athwal (Social Worker), Sh. Pardeep Rawat (Artist & Social Worker), Sh. Tanish Aggarwal (Student to participate in SOUL leadership conclave 2025), Ms. Jasbeer Kaur (Social Worker, Trusty, Women and Child Care Welfare foundation), Ms. Janvi (Sports), Sh. Rajiv Kataria (Social Activist), Ms. Deepika Sharma (Secretary Fire Awareness & Safety Association), Ms. Nirmala Sharma (Social Worker to promote Handicraft), Ms. Asha (Social Worker), Sh. Vishal Garg (Social Activist), Sh. Rakesh Uppal (Social Activist), Ms. Navroop (Sports), Sh. Ansh Sharma (Sports), Sh. Harish Chander Chhabra (Social Worker), Ms. Sarika (Yoga Instructor & Social Activist), Ms. Aarti (Social Activist), Mrs. Sunita Sharma (Yoga Instructor), Fr. Reji Tom, Director (Don Bosco Navjeevan Society), Sh. Vikas Batta (Social Activist), Ms. Neha Arora (Social Worker), Ms. Ragini (Social Worker), Ms. Ruchi Kapoor (Social Worker), Sh. Ajay Singh (Social Activist), Ms. Sandeep Kaur (Social Activist), Mr. Vinod Kumar (Social Activist), Mr. Ravi Dutt (Sports), Sh. Shiv Raj (Yoga Instructor), Sh. Anil Bhardwaj (Social Activist), Sh. Harminder Singh (Social Activist), Prof. (Dr.) Vandana Arora (Chairperson, Department of Laws, Panjab University, Chandigarh), Ms. Taruna (Social Activist), Ms. Sargun R Arora (International Badminton player & Social Activist), Sh. Bhuvan (Vice President of Youth Wing and The Environment Society of India, Chandigarh), Ms. Amit (Yoga), Sh. Vishal Rawat (Arts), Ms. Sukhraj Kaur (Sports), Sh. Toni Bansal (Father of 11 months old Child name Vansh, donated his organs and body after brain dead), Ms. Ritu Roy (Yoga Instructor), and Sh. Sushil Bansal (Social Activist) of Chandigarh for the contribution of the society.