In an apparent game one-upmanship, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Friday issued a statement saying that he has directed the Chief Secretary to issue directions regarding the repair, maintenance and cleaning of "One Road per Zone/Division Every Week".
The statement assumes significance after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal went public and projected his Government action plan saying the Delhi Government's weekly action plan to make city roads excellent and every Saturday, every agency (PWD, MCD) will work towards making each road under their jurisdiction excellent.
This has led to the Raj Niwas to issue a statement saying the order by the Chief Secretary to all road owning agencies to undertake repair/maintenance/improvisation works of at least one road per zone ( end to end -on both sides) along the length and breadth including right of way every week preferably on Saturday, was issued on his directions. The L-G said the repair, maintenance and cleaning of "One Road per Zone/Division Every Week" would bring much-needed and long-pending relief to the residents and commuters of the National Capital. The L-G said that he would personally monitor the progress of the works thereon.
The L-G applauded the seamless coordination between various road owning agencies-Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Committee (NDMC) and Public Works Department (PWD) by keeping the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister on board. The order came following L-G's meeting with the concerned officials last week.
In a statement, Raj Niwas said that the L-G was deeply concerned over the conditions of maintenance, disrepair and cleanliness of roads and footpaths in the National Capital. Even after launching the cleanliness drive to clear the roads of debris and encroachments he stroved to get all road-owning agencies like MCD, NDMA, PWD etc. to take up the task of repair and maintenance of roads in a coordinated and effective manner within a set timeframe.
Earlier Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar directed all road owning agencies to undertake repair/maintenance/improvisation works of at least one road per zone ( end to end -on both sides) along the length and breadth including right of way every week preferably on Saturday.
"Further, such initiative should also include cleanliness of such roads by ensuring removal of any garbage dumps, MSW, plastic waste, malba, C&D waste or any other waste, during such repairs, maintenance, improvisation drive," the letter read.
"Market Welfare Associations (MWAs) and Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) may be involved during such repairs, maintenance, improvisation drives to make it a people's drive," it said.
"All the organizations (MCD, NDMC, PWD, DDA, Delhi Cantonment, NHAI, etc.) should accordingly prepare necessary action plan, including preparation of the roaster of the roads for each MCD zone, PWD Division, NDMC Road Division to be covered every week during the months of July and August, 2022 (that is 8 roads in each zone and division to be covered during eight weeks). While finalising roads to be included in the said roaster, preference shall be given to such roads, which are relatively in poor state as on date," the letter further read.
In a tweet in Hindi, Kejriwal has said, "Delhi government's weekly action plan to make city roads excellent. Every Saturday, every agency (PWD, MCD) will work towards making each road under their jurisdiction excellent." Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who holds the charge of PWD, said, "The Delhi Government is determined to provide pleasant commuting experience and excellent roads to all the residents of Delhi.
For this PWD is working diligently and round the clock to make the city roads better. But to make all the roads of the city clean, green and well-maintained, all agencies need to work together. This initiative will be helpful in the direction of making the city roads better, safer and beautiful."
"Delhi belongs to everyone who lives in the city. Under this initiative, Delhi Government aims to involve the community in this initiative so that people take ownership of the roads near their residence or place of work and help us keep the city green, clean and well-maintained." Sisodia said.