Patna: Urban development and housing minister Nitish Mishra on Wednesday chaired a high-level review meeting with Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) officials to assess and strengthen pre-monsoon preparations across the city.At the meeting measures to tackle waterlogging, drain construction and cleaning, drainage pumping system, disaster management, and overall emergency preparedness ahead of the monsoon season were discussed.The minister directed that the term “manholes” should henceforth be replaced with “machine holes” and emphasised the use of modern machinery for their cleaning and maintenance. He said sewers and drains in urban areas would now be cleaned using advanced equipment like jetting and suction machines. “Safety of human life is our topmost priority in sanitation work,” the minister said. He added that the govt aims to create a technology-driven, clean, safe, and modern urban system that delivers better civic services to citizens.Mishra issued strict instructions to complete all pending drain construction and desilting works on priority. He warned that any negligence would not be tolerated and directed officials to take strict action against erring contractors. He asked the administration to remain sensitive to public hardships and carry out their duties with full accountability.The minister also ordered a detailed assessment of last year’s waterlogged areas to prepare an action plan for the current year. He emphasised better inter-departmental coordination with all departments concerned and subdivision-level officials for swift resolution of issues. He further directed the installation of proper signage at vulnerable locations to alert citizens.Additional directives included preparing a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for all pre-monsoon tasks, setting up a dedicated monitoring team at the command centre, and creating a separate contingency plan for motors, pumps, and sumps. Mishra also asked officials to remain ready to extend support to other municipal bodies in case of any crisis.Reviewing the drinking water system, the minister called for improved arrangements by analysing last year’s challenges. He stressed that citizens must get uninterrupted clean drinking water under all circumstances.BUDCO managing director Animesh Kumar Parashar and PMC Yashpal Meena were also present in the meeting.
