Kanpur Mayor Viral Video: Pramila Pandey loses temper during drain cleaning meeting, throws file at engineer

Kanpur Mayor Pramila Pandey lost her temper during a meeting concerning the review of drain cleaning before the monsoon season. In a video that went viral, Pandey is seen throwing a file at a zonal engineer and shouting at him after discovering inconsistencies in his report regarding the commencement of desilting work, a TOI report stated.

Sources indicate that the incident occurred during a meeting called to discuss the progress of nullah cleaning. The zonal engineer of zone-3 had claimed in his departmental digital diary that cleaning had started in March. However, Mayor Pandey accused him of misleading her, stating that the work did not begin until May.

"She further rebuked him saying that when nullah cleaning started in May then how the zonal engineer was claiming that he had started the work in March," a source said.

The mayor directed the chief engineer of Kanpur Municipal Corporation to start inspecting nullah cleaning work in all zones from June 14. She mandated that she be assisted by the executive engineer and other officials during these inspections.

Previously, Mayor Pandey had instructed the chief engineer to conduct a spot inspection when the zonal engineer of zone-4 failed to provide updates about the status of the Muir Mill nullah and the impact of Metro work near Lal Imli. She expressed her dissatisfaction and warned of appropriate action if water-logging occurred in the city during the monsoon season.

When inquiring about the construction of the Sanigawan nullah, executive engineer Diwakar Bhaskar informed her that pipes were being used for the project. Mayor Pandey then sought a comprehensive progress report from chief engineer Manish Awasthi, who assured her that nullah cleaning work was progressing well and over 60 percent of the work had been completed.

Regarding the cleaning of gully pits, the zonal engineers reported that some drains and "jalis" (nets) were broken and were in the process of being repaired. Mayor Pandey instructed them to ensure proper sanitation for the upcoming Eid-ul-Zuha festival.

Officials present at the meeting included all additional municipal commissioners, engineers from various zones, and health department officials.

This incident marks another occasion where Mayor Pandey's frustration with municipal issues has led to a public display of anger. In a previous instance, she had ordered the Metro officials to sit in a meeting room with fans and air conditioners turned off as a form of punishment.