L-G directs civic bodies to make Delhi free of open-defecation

In a bid to make city clean under Swachh Bharat Mission, the Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Monday directed municipal bodies to maintain cleanliness and proper sanitation in their respective areas and stressed to achieve open-defecation free status for the national capital. 

He further stressed that for the maintenance of parks, the resident welfare associations and community should be involved on a permanent basis. On the issue of redevelopment of markets, Baijal suggested that necessary amendments in the allotment conditions could be made for entrusting the operation and maintenance work to the market associations.

He also emphasised that Gram Sabha Land could be developed for children’s park in the neighbourhood of settlements. He further directed that all municipal bodies must explore installing Water ATMs in their respective areas. 

He asked municipal bodies to ensure that there should not be encroachments on pavements and parks, besides advising them to improve their grievance redressal systems by deploying latest technological tools like various mobile application. Lastly, he also directed for making concerted efforts to make all municipal services available online as that would enhance speed, transparency and efficiency in service delivery besides checking corruption and undue discretion.

The Lieutenant Governor issued direction during a meeting with the municipal corporations and Delhi Development Authority on Monday.    

The South Municipal Corporation commissioner Puneet Kumar Goel stated that they have already planned to buy 12 mechanical sweepers that should be inducted within two-three months. Further, he also stated that 285 additional public toilets will be constructed in current financial year. 

Regarding involvement of RWAs to monitor cleanliness at roads, public places and dhalaos, he said that was informed that social networking groups in association with RWAs and different Markets Associations have been created . 

Regarding development of parking lots and multi-level parking, he stated that a total of 93 sites have been identified. In respect of possibility of allotment of gram sabha land for parks it was apprised that 22 such gram sabha lands have been identified. 

Commissioner of North Delhi Municipal PK Gupta said that they are developing seven parking sites in four zones and regarding possibility of development of gram sabha land for children parks, the Narela Zone has identified two gram sabha lands in Mundka village. He also said that regarding action plan for installation of open gyms, 142 locations have been identified, while work is in progress at 69 locations.

L-G’s directions

Gram Sabha Land could be developed for children’s park in the neighbourhood of settlements 
All municipal bodies must explore installing Water ATMs in their respective areas 
There should not be encroachments on pavements and parks. All municipal services should be made available online