PM enquires about Chandigarh, VP Badnore raises infection of hospital staff

UT Administrator V P Singh Badnore explained to the Prime Minister the steps being taken in the city to fight COVID-19.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday morning called up UT Administrator V P Singh Badnore to enquire about Chandigarh’s COVID-19 situation. (File Photo)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday morning called up UT Administrator V P Singh Badnore to enquire about Chandigarh’s COVID-19 situation.

Badnore raised the issue of hospital staff getting infected which was a big concern. He explained to the Prime Minister the steps being taken in the city to fight COVID-19. He also explained how Chandigarh had to deal with both corona and non-corona patients coming from neighbouring states to PGIMER, GMCH-32 and GMSH-16.

The UT Administrator told the PM the Tricity was cooperating and coordinating closely.

The Administrator said that they will be making a strict protocol as recommended by three institutes so that they become COVID-safe.

At a meeting of officers held on Tuesday evening, Badnore expressed concern at the sudden spurt in COVID-19 positive cases in UT, particularly in Bapu Dham Colony.

As Bapu Dham and Sector 30 were turning out to be hotspots within the city, UT Adviser Manoj Parida stated that outbreak needs to be contained by focusing all energy and resources in pockets like Bapu Dham Colony in Sector 26 and Sector 30-B.

“Apart from sealing the area, efforts will be made to ensure that the locals maintain social distancing by taking the help of local volunteers and leaders. CCTV cameras will be installed and drone photography will be used to find persons, who are violating the social distancing norms in the area. The police will also patrol the area regularly so as to ensure that the curfew orders are strictly followed,” Parida said.

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The Administrator directed the Director General of Police to ensure that the area is totally cordoned off and the entry/exit from the affected pocket is strictly regulated. He also directed the Municipal Commissioner to ensure proper sanitisation and cleaning of the area. The Deputy Commissioner was directed to ensure the availability of essential items in the pocket.

RAPID TESTING KITS RETURNED

Rapid testing kits received from the Centre are being returned as per the directions of the Central government. Health Secretary Arun Gupta said that Punjab Engineering College had contributed blood by organising blood donation camps.

Municipal Commissioner K K Yadav stated that necessary arrangements for supply of water during summer season has been made. He also stated that strict action will be taken against unauthorised vendors, who are roaming around to sell vegetables without authorisation. He stated that the Municipal Corporation will track the movement of vendors through the COVID application.

INFECTION HAPPENS WITHOUT MUCH FAULT OF INFECTED PERSONS

The Administrator said that people should not stigmatise the patients. He stated that this infection happens often without much fault of the infected persons and there is no justification to ridicule or boycott the patients or their family. He directed all officials to enhance their efforts to ensure that the sudden increase in number of positive cases could be controlled.

Hina Rohtaki

Hina Rohtaki is a Special Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. She is one of the most prominent journalists covering the Chandigarh Administration, civic issues, and the unique political status of the Union Territory. Professional Background Experience: She has been in the field for over a decade and is known for her investigative reporting on administrative waste and urban governance. Awards: She is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award, which was presented to her by the President of India in January 2020. She was also awarded the Jethmalani prize (The Will of Steel Awards) in 2025 in the Empowerment category for a series of articles that highlighted the struggles of Covid widows. Core Beat: Her primary focus is the Chandigarh administrative structure, the Union Territory's financial management, and urban development projects. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent work highlights a focus on government accountability, administrative expenditures, and civic trends: 1. Investigative & Financial Reporting "Fuelling power: Senior UT IAS officers guzzled petrol worth Rs 30 lakh in 2 yrs" (Dec 14, 2025): An investigative report detailing the high fuel bills of top bureaucrats, including the Finance Secretary and Chief Secretary’s staff. "Admn spends Rs 1.5 crore on dismantling road railings and fixing again after increasing height" (Dec 8, 2025): Highlighting administrative waste on "non-viable" solutions for pedestrian control. "Chandigarh’s finances under ministry’s watch now" (Nov 27, 2025): Reporting on the new requirement for MHA approval for all new projects in the UT. 2. Governance & Constitutional Status "What will it mean for Chandigarh if it is brought under Article 240?" (Nov 24, 2025): An "Explained" piece on the potential constitutional shift that would grant the President more power over the UT's governance. "MP Manish Tewari moves Bill seeking directly elected Mayor with 5-year tenure" (Dec 6, 2025): Covering the legislative push to reform Chandigarh's municipal leadership structure. "No proposal to increase Mayor's term in Chandigarh by 5 years: Centre" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on the Union government's response to demands for a longer mayoral term. 3. Urban Infrastructure & Environment "Chandigarh admn cuts power to India's tallest air purifier, asks firm to dismantle it" (Nov 17, 2025): A critical report on the failure of a high-cost environmental project deemed "of no use" by experts. "UT rethinks 24/7 water supply project as costs soar" (Nov 26, 2025): Detailing the financial challenges and delays in modernizing the city's water network. "Centre 'obfuscating, covering up' MC's shifting deadlines for clearing Dadu Majra dump" (Dec 12, 2025): Reporting on the ongoing controversy surrounding the city's major waste dump. 4. Lifestyle & Local Trends "Chandigarh turns into a Thar city as women fuel the surge" (Dec 2, 2025): A feature on a unique automotive trend in the city, with a record 600 registrations by women drivers this year. "After fivefold spike in 2023, EV sales struggle to pick pace in Chandigarh" (Dec 2, 2025): Analyzing the slowdown in electric vehicle adoption despite previous surges. Signature Beat Hina is known for her meticulous tracking of RTI (Right to Information) data to expose administrative inefficiency. Her "Ground Zero" reporting on the Dadu Majra garbage dump and her scrutiny of the Chandigarh Smart City projects have made her a key figure in the city’s civil society discourse. X (Twitter): @HinaRohtaki ... Read More

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