By Chandan Singh | Page 3 News Worldwide | New Delhi
New Delhi, July 6: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday ordered a “zero tolerance” approach to waterlogging across the national capital, directing officials to ensure time-bound action on monsoon preparedness while simultaneously reviewing the progress of Mission Kayakalp, the government’s flagship initiative to upgrade government schools.
Chairing the Delhi District Development Committee (DDC) Apex Committee meeting at the Delhi Secretariat, Gupta reviewed the transformation of the two most dilapidated government schools identified in each district, preparations for the upcoming Kanwar Yatra, and measures to tackle monsoon-related challenges.
The Chief Minister instructed all District Magistrates to prioritise essential school infrastructure, including clean toilets, safe drinking water, laboratories, libraries, furniture and smart classrooms, stressing that cosmetic repairs alone would not be sufficient. She praised districts including Outer North, North-East and New Delhi for introducing modern facilities such as STEM and science laboratories, computer labs, renovated classrooms and improved sanitation under Mission Kayakalp.
Gupta also directed officials to intensify monitoring of waterlogging-prone areas, making it clear that residents expect solutions regardless of which civic agency is responsible. She ordered senior officers to conduct regular field inspections, ensure desilting of drains, deploy pumping equipment at vulnerable locations and restore drainage connectivity without delay.
A detailed review was conducted for chronic waterlogging hotspots, including Baljeet Nagar, Patel Nagar, Sangam Vihar, Bawana, Kirari, Patparganj, Laxmi Nagar, Krishna Nagar and Mandawali. The Chief Minister instructed departments to work jointly wherever projects involve multiple agencies and prepare fixed timelines for completion.
Reviewing preparations for the annual Kanwar Yatra, Gupta directed district administrations to coordinate with registered organisers and ensure adequate arrangements for drinking water, sanitation, medical assistance, electricity and traffic management to facilitate devotees.
The meeting also reviewed progress on district mini secretariats, rainwater harvesting, weekly public grievance hearings, cleanliness drives and cooling zones. Gupta further instructed civic authorities to intensify anti-encroachment drives, expand plantation efforts targeting seven lakh saplings and strengthen dust mitigation by increasing green cover along road corridors.
Reaffirming her government’s focus on implementation, the Chief Minister said officials would be held personally accountable for delivering Mission Kayakalp, effective monsoon management and smooth Kanwar Yatra arrangements through continuous monitoring and inter-departmental coordination.
