Biker death: CM Rekha issues 8-point safety framework

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has issued an eight-point safety framework to prevent Janakpuri-like accidents, where a biker died after falling into a DJB-dug pit, and sought a list of excavation sites in the city within three days.

Taking a “very strong” view of the tragic accident reported in the Janakpuri area of West Delhi on Friday, the Chief Minister has ordered immediate, time-bound action across all departments and executing agencies to prevent any recurrence of such an incident, a Delhi CMO statement said.

“Expressing deep concern over lapses in safety arrangements at excavation and digging sites, the Chief Minister has directed strict enforcement of safety norms and fixed clear accountability on officers and contractors,” it said. The chief secretary, on the directions of the Chief Minister, has issued a memorandum listing an eight-point safety framework to be followed without exception at all construction, repair and maintenance works involving digging or excavation of roads, footpaths and underground utilities across the city.

The directive applies to all departments and agencies under the administrative control of the Delhi Government, including but not limited to the Public Works Department (PWD), Irrigation and Flood Control Department (I&FC), Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), power distribution companies (DISCOMs) and all other executing agencies and contractors.

According to the eight-point directive, proper and adequate warning signages shall be displayed prominently and sufficiently in advance of the work site from all approaches. Reflector lights, blinkers and/or luminous tapes shall be installed around the excavated area and barricades, especially during night hours and in low-visibility conditions.

Strong, continuous and conspicuous barricading shall be ensured around the entire work site to prevent accidental access by pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles.

Barricading should be erected in a way that no accident takes place, and at the same time, no excavated material/digging should be visible to passersby or cause any dust pollution.

Wherever required, safe pedestrian pathways and traffic diversion arrangements shall be put in place in coordination with the concerned authorities.

Importantly, the directive fixes clear responsibility for compliance on both the concerned field officers and the executing agencies or contractors. Engineers-in-charge and field engineers have been instructed to conduct regular inspections of all such work sites and ensure that prescribed safety measures are maintained throughout the execution period.

All departments/organisations shall carry out an immediate review of all ongoing and recently undertaken excavation/digging works within the National Capital Territory of Delhi and submit a consolidated report within three (03) days to this office, detailing the locations of such sites, the safety measures put in place, and the corrective measures undertaken wherever deficiencies have been noticed. “Any violation or laxity in adherence to the above instructions shall be viewed seriously. In case of any accident, injury or loss of life attributable to negligence or non-compliance with these directions, strict disciplinary action shall be initiated against the responsible officers and agencies as per rules, in addition to any other legal action that may be warranted,” it said.

Asserting that loss of life due to negligence is unacceptable, Gupta asserted that public safety cannot be compromised under any circumstances. Accountability will be fixed, and strict action will follow wherever lapses are found, she said in the statement. “The chief minister has made it clear that the safety of citizens is paramount. No department or contractor will be allowed to cut corners, and enforcement on the ground will be closely monitored,” the statement read further.

The chief minister has also ordered that strong, continuous and clearly visible barricading be ensured around the entire work site by all departments to prevent accidental access by pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles.

Barricades must be erected in a manner that eliminates the risk of accidents and ensures that no excavated material or open digging is visible to passersby or causes dust pollution. The directive fixes clear responsibility for compliance on both the concerned field officers and the executing agencies or contractors, the CMO said.

Engineers-in-charge and field engineers have been instructed to conduct regular inspections of all such work sites and ensure that prescribed safety measures are maintained throughout the execution period.