Haryana Energy Minister Anil Vij assured the House during the ongoing budget session of the Haryana Assembly today, stating, “I am in favor of removing poles that obstruct roads, and I assure the House that we will remove these poles.” He informed that concerned department officers have been instructed to conduct a statewide survey to determine the number of poles now obstructing roads. He further said that all such poles would be removed as per the budget.
Vij was responding to a question during the ongoing budget session of the Haryana Assembly in Chandigarh.
He explained that daily development activities, expansion of new settlements, and road widening result in some electricity poles ending up in the middle of roads. When power lines and poles are initially installed, the electricity department ensures they are not placed in the middle of roads. However, road widening later causes many poles to obstruct traffic. According to existing provisions, the cost of shifting poles and power lines is borne by Panchayats, Municipal Committees, Municipal Councils or Municipal Corporations. He added that he has instructed that the electricity tax collected from villages and cities should be deposited into the accounts of these bodies every six months so they can use it to shift poles.
Vij further said that he has directed department officers to conduct a survey across Haryana to assess the number of poles obstructing roads. Roads are meant for transportation, and any obstruction—whether a tree or a pole—should not be tolerated. He emphasized that an estimate is being prepared to determine the cost of shifting these poles. If the government can bear the cost, a request will be made to the Finance Minister for the required funds. If the funds are provided in one go, the poles will be removed at once; if allocated in phases, they will be removed gradually. “Since I support the removal of these poles, I assure the House today that we will remove them,” he reiterated.
Vij also mentioned that, keeping in view of the poor financial position of gram panchayats of Badhra Constituency, as per Sales Circular D-13/2024 dated 31.05.2024, the pole shifting expenses will be adjusted against panchayat tax or covered by a separate budget of the Development & Panchayat Department.He said that Electric poles are initially installed at safe positions. However, due to road widening or land demarcation, some poles may become unsafe over time. He said that 205 unsafe poles in Badhra Constituency have been shifted to safer locations in the last three years.
*In the Nalwa constituency, 1,806 Dhanies have already been electrified, the remaining will be electrified as per regulations – Energy Minister Sh. Anil Vij*
*The remaining dhanies will be electrified as per circular No. D-37/2023 dated 09.11.2023- Anil Vij*
Haryana Energy Minister, Sh. Anil Vij said that in Nalwa constituency, there are about 1855 Dhanies and out of these 1806 Dhaneis are already electrified. The remaining dhanies will be electrified as per circular No. D-37/2023 dated 09.11.2023.
Vij was responding to a question during the ongoing budget session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha in Chandigarh today.
Regarding Definition of Dhani, He said that a cluster having population of 10 or more persons falling within a radial distance of 300 meters from any reference point located within the cluster. The structure should be a regular dwelling unit with bathroom, kitchen etc. and not a single room or store or kotha for tubewell.
He said that Dera-Dhanies connections upto 3KM radius (increasing it from existing 1 km. limit) of village phirnee shall be provided electricity connections from nearest AP feeder having PAT facility / by installing the PAT or RDS feeder (as per nearest point of supply). He said that upto 300 meters (increasing it from existing 150 meters provision) from village phirnee, service connection charges shall be recovered from the applicant. The cost of creating infrastructure will be borne by the Nigam.
Vij said that where line length is more than 300 meters from the phirnee, extension of Distribution system will be done by the licensee which shall include HT/LT line along with Distribution transformers, and for this the actual cost involved beyond 300 meters for releasing the connection would also be worked out as per standard cost data book and the amount recoverable shall be as 50% cost of LT/HT line will be borne by the consumers / group of consumers and balance 50% will be borne by Nigam. Cost of T/F will be borne by Nigam.
*”The land of the old bus stand located in the middle of Jhajjar city will be utilized for other purposes” – Transport Minister Anil Vij*
*”Our government is seriously considering the quality of food products at bus stands” – Anil Vij*
*”I want to make the Transport Department a model department (Pari ka Behan)” – Vij*
Haryana Transport Minister, Sh. Anil Vij said that the land of the old bus stand, Jhajjar situated in the midst of the city will be put to some other use. In addition to this, the new bus stand is well maintained and fully functional. He also mentioned that the government is seriously considering ensuring the availability of quality food products at bus stands. “I want to make the Transport Department a model department(Pari ka Behan),” he added.
Vij was responding to a question during the ongoing budget session of the Haryana Assembly in Chandigarh.
He said that the new building of bus stand, Jhajjar was constructed in the year 2016. There is no water accumulation and heap of filth anywhere. Water coolers and ROs are installed at the bus stand and potable water is being provided to the passengers. The toilets are cleaned on routine basis. All passenger facilities are being provided at the bus stand.
Vij further said, “I have even brought a photograph of the Jhajjar bus stand. Just yesterday, I asked the Deputy Commissioner of Jhajjar for a report, and he sent me this photo. However, I am working towards providing airport-like facilities at all bus stands, not just the one in Jhajjar.”
He shared that on his very first day in charge of the Transport Department, he traveled by bus and inspected multiple bus stands, and he will continue to do so. “I have instructed Transport Department officials to ensure cleanliness at bus stands and to use vacuum machines for cleaning,” he added.
Vij emphasized that the government is seriously considering food quality at bus stands. “Passengers should not receive substandard food or contaminated water, especially since we operate long-distance buses. I want to ensure clean drinking water, quality food for staff, and proper rest facilities. For this, we are planning a partnership with the Tourism Department on a pilot basis. If, for any reason, we are unable to collaborate with the Tourism Department, I have instructed officials to study how the Railway Department provides good-quality food to passengers through corporations across the country.”
He stated that if feasible, the government would establish a similar corporation to ensure quality food for passengers. “I want to make the Transport Department a model department (Pari ka Behan),” he reiterated. He also mentioned that if any government department wishes to use the old Jhajjar bus stand land for a project, the Transport Department will provide the necessary NOC (No Objection Certificate).
*”Working is our duty, so corruption will not be tolerated under any circumstances” – Transport Minister Anil Vij*
*”As far as corruption related to challans in Badli is concerned, an investigation will be conducted” – Anil Vij*
Haryana Transport Minister Shri Anil Vij said that “Working is our duty, so corruption will not be tolerated under any circumstances.” He further assured that any corruption related to challans in Badli would be thoroughly investigated.
Vij was responding to a question regarding the ongoing issue of challans in Badli.
He emphasized that challans for oversized vehicles can be issued anywhere, and he has directed department officials to issue as many challans as necessary wherever required. However, he acknowledged that there is a shortage of officers and staff in the department.“At present, I do not have the exact figures for the challans issued, but I can provide the details of how many have been done so far. However, we will continue issuing challans as required,” he added.
