By Sunil Sonker Mussoorie, 24 Oct: The Mussoorie Cantonment Board has brought new hope to its residents. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ankita Singh has initiated a direct dialogue with the public in the cantonment area, launching regular Janata Darbars in all six wards. This initiative aims to immediately listen to public concerns and resolve them on the spot. At the Janata Darbar, today, the CEO clarified that issues such as cleanliness, traffic, and encroachment will be prioritised. She has given strict instructions to sanitation contractors to ensure cleanliness in the wards and to provide equipment to staff on time. The timing of sanitation workers in wards 3, 4, 5, and 6 will be monitored.The CEO emphasised cleanliness and hygiene.It was also revealed at the Janata Darbar that the drain at Ganesh Hotel had not yet been cleaned and that grass cutting work in the cantonment area had also been halted. Adequate staff will now be appointed to address these issues. Additionally, the CEO personally led a cleanliness drive in the Lal Tibba area by sweeping the area and appealed to the public that cleanliness is not just the responsibility of the administration, but of every citizen.The public cited traffic jams as their biggest concern. Slow vehicle speeds at Malingar Chowk and haphazard parking in the market are causing severe traffic congestion. Jagjit Kukreta, General Secretary of the Mussoorie Chamber of Commerce, suggested that traffic would be streamlined by establishing a one-way system and alternative routes. The CEO directed officials to repair potholes and remove encroachments on the roads in the Cantonment Board area.Stray bulls and cows are roaming in the Cantonment area, and a proposal has been prepared to control them and send them to a cow shelter. The public also complained that the lack of streetlights and activities like drinking alcohol in public are affecting security. Plans are underway to increase surveillance and install CCTV cameras. CEO Ankita Singh stated that the sewerage problem in Laxmanpuri will be resolved at all costs. Correct information regarding water, house tax, and sewerage tax will be provided to the public. An old-age home and a dispensary will be opened within the Cantonment Board. Citizen wardens will be appointed and authorised to process challans. Discussions will be held with higher officials to address the staff shortage in the Cantonment Board office.Jagjit Kukreja, General Secretary of the Mussoorie Traders’ Welfare Association, stated that despite increased tourism, poor sanitation and traffic management, along with stray animals, are creating problems for both businesses and tourists. He urged the administration to take appropriate steps in a timely manner to ensure the safety of both tourism and business in the Cantonment area.Ankita Singh stated that her aim is to make the Cantonment area clean, beautiful, and well-organised. She believes that communicating with the public and promptly resolving problems is the administration’s primary responsibility. She assured that the instructions given in the Janata Darbar will be reviewed and that Janata Darbars will be held monthly. Her goal is to secure the “Best Cantonment Award” for the Mussoorie Cantonment Board with the public’s support.Local residents and businesses are appreciating the CEO’s initiative. They say that if officials continue to listen to public concerns, the landscape of the cantonment area could soon change.Avtar Kukreja, Pankaj Agarwal, Victor Banerjee, Ganesh Saili, Sunita Kundle, Pushpa Padiyar, Anant Prakash, Vipin Prakash, Ramesh Kanojia, Anil Kumar, Narendra Padiyar, Anand Rastogi, Paramjit Singh Kohli, Ravi, Umesh Nautiyal, Mahesh Chand, Bharat Singh Chauhan, Jaipal Caravan, Virendra Rana, and many others were present on the occasion.
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