Rekha Government Launches Another Strike Against Pollution: Roads to Become Beautiful, Safe and Clean

Clear message from the Chief Minister to all engineers: No excuses will be entertained focus must be on action and results

Ban on repeated road excavation; agencies instructed to work with mutual coordination

Directions issued to ensure regular and timely cleaning for sanitation and dust control

New Delhi, December 2025 : A significant review meeting on the ‘Standard Framework for Road Redevelopment’ was held under the chairmanship of Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta at the Kedarnath Sahni Auditorium. The primary objective of this meeting was to establish an integrated and standardised framework for road construction, beautification, green cover, drainage, utility management and maintenance in Delhi, so as to ensure better coordination among all agencies.

Senior officials from PWD, MCD, NDMC, DDA, Delhi Jal Board and Delhi Traffic Police, along with experts from CAQM, CSIR, School of Planning and Architecture and the Raahgiri Foundation, actively participated in the meeting. The experts made detailed presentations on various aspects related to infrastructure, traffic management, urban design and public amenities in the capital. The meeting was attended by Cabinet Ministers Pravesh Sahib Singh, Ashish Sood, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Ravindra Inderjeet Singh, Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh, Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh, and officers from the concerned departments.

The Chief Minister made it clear to officials and departments that this government focuses not on blame but on action and outcomes. She said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has provided ample budgetary support for development works and that there is no shortage of funds for any project. She informed that the government has directed all departments to submit their estimates and proposals for the beautification of Delhi.

The Chief Minister urged the officers, representatives and engineers to carry out every task with complete dedication and sincerity. Stressing the importance of administrative reforms and continuous monitoring, she stated that issues related to drains, waterlogging, roads and footpaths will only be resolved when officers take responsibility themselves. Citing the problems at the Minto Bridge and RK Puram underpass, she explained that these issues were resolved immediately only through inter-departmental coordination. She emphasised the need for active involvement and accountability of engineers and officers at every level.

The Chief Minister also stressed the importance of waste management, preventing open burning, establishing new biogas and green waste plants, and ensuring proper wet waste management. She said that new buildings should be designed to be zero-waste, green and self-sustainable, and should incorporate facilities such as water harvesting, mist systems and anti-smog guns. She appealed to officers and public representatives to perform every task with full commitment, dedication and collective effort. She added that everyone must work together for pollution control, infrastructure improvement and road safety. Every challenge can be addressed, and implementing solutions with sincerity is a shared responsibility.

During the meeting, Cabinet Minister Pravesh Sahib Singh said that the Delhi government has carried out several administrative reforms in the past nine months, but the activeness and responsibility of officers and engineers are equally essential. He pointed out that delays often occur in fixing responsibility among departmental officials, and time is wasted when third-party agencies intervene unnecessarily. He encouraged officials to rise above personal and departmental interests and work with full sincerity and dedication to make Delhi clean and beautiful.

Cabinet Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that dust on roads is a major contributor to pollution in Delhi, and controlling it is the government’s top priority. He stated that the Chief Minister has a clear vision to gradually reduce the contribution of road dust to Delhi’s air quality, which rises to 30 per cent during winter. Under the Delhi government’s Winter Action Plan, large-scale efforts are already being undertaken to remove road dust from the streets.

Key Instructions:

All departments and agencies will adopt a common, practical and responsible standard framework for coordination and utility management. To prevent repeated digging of roads, all agencies have been instructed to strengthen inter-agency coordination. Before the construction of any road, detailed mapping of electricity, telecom, gas and water lines will be mandatory, and wherever possible, common utility ducts will be used. Once a road is constructed, excavation will only be permitted in emergency situations.

To improve construction and quality, roads must be built wall-to-wall. The road, footpath and the entire roadside area must be made durable and structurally strong. A robust response system will also be developed to ensure that complaints regarding potholes are addressed within 24 to 48 hours.

Regular and timely cleaning must be ensured for sanitation and pollution control machines should be used wherever possible, and manual cleaning should be carried out when necessary. Dust, waste and debris accumulated on the roads must be removed daily. Proper barricading before road cutting will be mandatory to prevent dust from spreading. Dust-control measures including water sprinkling, barricading and covering of debris will be strictly enforced during all processes such as road construction, repairs and cleaning. Strict action will be taken against those who violate these rules.

Prioritising pedestrian convenience and beautification, instructions have been issued to ensure that footpaths are wide, clean and obstruction-free. All crossings must be clearly marked, and adequate lighting must be installed on roads. Central verges and dividers will be maintained regularly, including the upkeep of plants, shrubs, grass and decorative elements. Every redevelopment project must mandatorily include greenery, well-organised street furniture and clean public spaces.