Lucknow: Lucknow Mayor Sushma Kharkwal on Tuesday directed officials to ensure prompt and effective resolution of sewer-related complaints across the city, warning that action would be taken against the executing agency if at least 90 percent of complainants are not satisfied with the solutions provided.
The directive was issued during a review meeting held at the Mayor’s Camp Office with officials of the Lucknow Jal Kal Department and representatives of Suez India. The meeting was attended by Jal Kal General Manager Kuldeep Singh, executive engineers, and officials of the executing agency.
Concerns Raised Over Limited Use of Super Sucker Machines
During the meeting, the Mayor questioned the inadequate use of super sucker machines for sewer maintenance and complaint resolution. She noted that residents frequently report being informed that machines are either unavailable or out of service when they seek assistance.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the situation, Kharkwal said that merely registering complaints is not enough and that agencies must ensure timely and effective redressal of problems faced by citizens.
Citizen Satisfaction Made Key Performance Indicator
The Mayor emphasized that sewer complaints should not be marked as resolved solely on paper. Instead, authorities must verify whether residents are genuinely satisfied with the work carried out.
She instructed officials to ensure that at least 90 percent of complainants confirm that their issues have been fully resolved. Failure to achieve this benchmark could result in action against the concerned executing agency under applicable rules.
Sewer Issues Account for Majority of Complaints
According to the Mayor, nearly 80 percent of all complaints received by the Jal Kal Department are related to sewer problems. She observed that shortages of machines and essential equipment have contributed to recurring issues and public inconvenience.
Officials were directed to strengthen the complaint-resolution mechanism and ensure that every grievance is addressed effectively at the ground level.
One-Month Deadline for Machine Deployment
Kharkwal specifically highlighted persistent complaints from Aliganj and Zone-6 areas. She instructed the executing agency not to rely solely on rented sewer-cleaning equipment and instead procure adequate machinery of its own.
The agency was given a one-month deadline to ensure the availability of necessary machines in every municipal zone and to undertake regular sewer-cleaning operations.
Focus on Indira Nagar and Nearby Areas
The meeting also reviewed sewer-related issues in Indira Nagar and adjoining localities. The Mayor noted that a large number of complaints have been received from areas such as Smileganj, Buddha Vihar, and Takrohi.
She directed officials to prioritize these locations, deploy teams on-site, and develop permanent solutions to recurring sewer problems.
Immediate Cleaning Ordered in Jiamau
Reviewing the status of sewer connection lines in Jiamau, the Mayor ordered immediate cleaning of the sewer network. She stated that new connections cannot proceed until the line is fully cleared and directed the concerned agency to complete the work without delay.
Reiterating her commitment to improving civic services, Kharkwal said negligence or delays in addressing sewer-related complaints would not be tolerated. She called for stronger coordination between the Jal Kal Department and the executing agency, stressing that citizen satisfaction must remain the primary measure of successful complaint resolution.
