Surat municipal commissioner under scanner over negligence

Shalini Agarwal is accused of negligence and violation of service rules

Surat's Municipal Commissioner Shalini Agarwal is under scrutiny following a formal complaint by social activist Darshan Naik, who has demanded action from Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and the Urban Development department.

Naik's complaint alleges negligence, violation of service rules, and an indifferent approach toward issues affecting Surat's citizens, with particular concern over the city's infrastructure, flood management, and metro construction impact.

Naik's letter details a series of grievances, beginning with the impact of the ongoing Surat metro rail construction on the city's water-drainage infrastructure. According to Naik, the construction work has led to the breakage of critical water-drainage lines 24 times in the past year and a half. This has resulted in frequent disruptions, with damages to water pipelines on 12 occasions.