Delhi cleanup drive kicks in

Conversion of Barapullah drain into a green zone, automatic washing machines at dhobi ghats, cleaning, lighting and painting of public buildings and enhancing the capacity of parking lots are some of the steps that have been planned by the ministry of urban development for the national capital - Delhi.

In a meeting today with all agencies - Delhi Development Authority (DDA), NDMC, CPWD, MCD, DMRC and PWD - under the urban development, the ministry decided to change the look of Delhi within six months."We have finalised a detailed action plan to beautify the city and all agencies concerned have been given responsibilities to do it in a coordinated way," Urban Development Secretary Sudhir Krishna said after the meeting.

The cleanliness drive is in sync with Narendra Modi government's directive.

It will take six months to complete the process and the steps will be reviewed every month. "Available resources will be utilised to meet the target," he said. Cleaning of market places will be carried out on regular basis and all unauthorised roadside kiosks will also be removed. " Steps will also be taken to construct porta cabins for security posts as part of the beautification drive," he said. Currently, sand bags are used for creation of security posts at roadside.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has been given responsibility to decongest and beautify the entry and exit of Metro stations. Besides, it will also take steps to paint the viaducts inside the station to improve the aesthetic look of the premises. Clearance of garbage and construction wastes will be carried out. Besides, bio-digester toilets at public places including markets will also be set up. About 376 green toilets will be constructed across the city. A massive tree plantation drive will also be carried out as part of the green drive.

NDMC has been given responsibility to increase the parking lots' capacity. Krishna said, "While water bodies will be revived, steps will also be taken for the reuse of used water in gardening and washing purposes." Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu during a meeting with senior officials of the Ministry last week had expressed concern over the condition of Delhi.