In a significant move to ensure the upkeep of a key commercial hub, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has initiated the process of hiring a dedicated agency for the cleaning and maintenance of the revamped Nehru Place District Centre. This step comes nearly two years after the authority completed a comprehensive overhaul of the area.
A New Regime for Upkeep
The selected agency will be responsible for deploying approximately 40 sanitation workers to provide daily routine upkeep services. Their scope of work is extensive, covering the cleaning of the central plaza, internal and external roads, footpaths, surface parking areas, and designated horticulture zones. A critical part of the contract involves the regular removal of construction and demolition waste (malba) and other discarded materials that often lie unattended. The agency will have the duty of transporting all such waste to an approved municipal dumping ground.
Officials explained the transition. "The district centre was previously maintained by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). We took over the site for its complete upgradation. The contractor responsible for the revamp was tasked with maintaining it for two years. As that tenure concludes this month, we are appointing a fresh agency," a DDA official stated. The cleaning staff will operate daily from 8 am to 4 pm.
Trader Concerns and Official Assurance
While the DDA has resumed talks with the MCD to hand back the complex to the corporation, the newly appointed agency will manage maintenance in the interim. This period is crucial, as many traders have voiced complaints about the current poor state of upkeep. They point to garbage being dumped in corners, visible paan stains across the complex, and even damage to some of the recently installed stonework.
Inder Kohli, a trader at Nehru Place, highlighted deeper issues. "It's a huge complex, revamped after spending crores. Its granite and tiles will last only if deep cleaning with mechanical machines is done. Many shops selling greasy food items dump waste. Its sewerage design is faulty, and drains often get choked, with their covers damaged by vehicles," he said.
In response to these concerns, a DDA official acknowledged the challenges, citing the centre's heavy footfall. "We are aware of the concerns. The maintenance agency is doing its job. Before transferring the complex to the corporation, we will fix the deficiencies," the official assured. A separate proposal to outsource the cleaning of public washrooms at the hub is also under consideration.
Parking Facility and Revamp Details
In a related development, the DDA will continue to operate a multi-level parking lot at Nehru Place, which is currently under construction. "We are giving the final touches to the parking facility and waiting for the fire no-objection certificate (NOC) and BSES to complete some work. The target is to open it to the public by this month-end," the official revealed.
The authority began the overall upgradation work at Nehru Place in December 2019 after receiving an NOC from the erstwhile South Delhi Municipal Corporation. The ambitious project included:
- Improving the facade of buildings.
- Revamping the drainage and sewerage systems.
- Upgrading surfaces with new tiles and seating arrangements.
- Overhauling staircases.
- Constructing 10 new toilet blocks.
- Building a skywalk connecting the Metro station concourse to the Central Plaza near Satyam Cinema.
The current move to hire a specialized cleaning agency marks the next phase in ensuring the long-term preservation and hygiene of this major commercial district, which serves thousands daily.
