In a decisive move against the capital's persistent pollution, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday issued a stern directive to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). She ordered the immediate implementation of rigorous dust-control and cleanliness protocols at all its ongoing construction sites across the city.
War Footing Against Pollution: No Negligence Tolerated
Chairing a high-level review meeting, CM Gupta made it clear that the government is working on a "war footing against pollution" and any negligence contributing to it will not be excused. The meeting was attended by senior DMRC officials, Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh, and representatives from various concerned departments.
Expressing serious concern, Gupta highlighted the repeated complaints received about heavy dust emanating from metro construction sites and the poor execution of mandated mitigation measures. She warned that stringent action would follow if any lapses were found during her promised personal inspections of the sites.
Cleaning Up Elevated Corridors and Repairing Roads
The Chief Minister gave specific instructions to the DMRC to ensure the regular cleaning and removal of garbage accumulated beneath elevated metro corridors. She pointedly remarked that these structures often seem to be utilized more for displaying advertisements than for maintaining basic cleanliness, with heaps of trash lying unattended.
Furthermore, Gupta addressed the issue of public inconvenience and pollution caused by unrepaired roads and footpaths around completed metro projects. Citizens have consistently flagged these problems, which not only degrade air quality but also lead to traffic snarls.
Separate Directives to PWD for City-Wide Measures
In a separate meeting convened on the same day, the Chief Minister turned her focus to other civic agencies. She directed the Public Works Department (PWD) and other relevant bodies to immediately scale up dust-control measures throughout Delhi. This dual-pronged approach targets both specific infrastructure projects and general city maintenance to combat the dust menace comprehensively.
The directives underscore the administration's heightened focus on tackling localized sources of pollution, especially from construction activities, as Delhi continues to grapple with air quality challenges.
