The tragic accident that occurred on Friday in Janakpuri area of West Delhi has shaken the Delhi government. Taking a tough stand on this incident, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has made it clear that any negligence that compromises public safety will not be tolerated in the capital. The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) has issued strict guidelines in this regard for all concerned departments and construction agencies with immediate effect.
The Chief Minister has termed the Janakpuri incident as a ‘serious lapse’ in security. He bluntly said that if negligence of any officer or contractor is proved, not only disciplinary but also strict legal action will be taken against them. The government has ordered all departments to submit detailed reports to the government within three days wherever excavation work is going on on roads or footpaths in Delhi.
8 new security protocols: now these will be the rules
Following the instructions of the Chief Minister, the Chief Secretary has issued an official order, which will be applicable to all agencies including PWD, Delhi Jal Board, MCD, NDMC and power distribution companies. It will be mandatory to install clear and large warning boards at every excavation site.
- Night vision safety: Reflector lights, blinkers and bright tape have to be used at night so that danger can be seen even in the dark.
- Strong Barricading: It is necessary to cover the excavation site with high and strong barricading on all sides.
- Debris management: There should not be soil or construction material scattered on the road.
- Dust Control: To prevent pollution, measures have to be taken to control dust.
- Alternative route: Safe routes have to be ensured for pedestrians and traffic.
- Daily Inspection: The concerned engineers will have to visit the site daily to check the safety standards.
- Traffic Management: To ensure that traffic is not disrupted due to excavation, proper diversion arrangements will have to be made.
Safety of citizens is paramount
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has assured that the Delhi government is developing a strict monitoring system to prevent such incidents in future. He clearly said that the lives of citizens are paramount and no department or contractor will be allowed to break the rules. After this order, now safety audit of all the projects running on the roads of Delhi has been started.