If Yamuna is not cleaned and Delhi’s pollution level does not improve, the current structure of government functioning in the capital may be changed. Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu has clearly indicated that if the condition of Yamuna does not improve within the stipulated time frame, then the responsibilities of different departments and agencies will be decided separately, so that accountability for any work can be clear.
The Lieutenant Governor said, at present his priority is that the departments of Delhi Government, agencies like DDA and MCD should work honestly with mutual coordination. He said that we will wait till the new deadline set by the government to improve the capacity of Yamuna cleaning and sewage treatment plants. But if even after this there is no expected improvement in the condition of Yamuna, then changes will be made in the system. According to the LG, the responsibility of cleaning drains can be assigned to one agency, the responsibility of construction of roads to another agency and the responsibility for other works can be clearly decided.
Conflict between departments will end once responsibilities are fixed.
For a long time, there have been disputes in Delhi regarding responsibilities between different departments on issues like drains, sewers, roads and water logging. LG explained the solution to this problem in clear distribution of responsibility. He said that instead of changing the system, all the departments are being given an opportunity to work together. Many officers and employees are doing good work in Delhi. Efforts are being made to achieve better results by working with them.
Emphasis on scientific efforts for cleaning Yamuna
The LG said that if determination and serious efforts are made then the sanctity of Yamuna can be brought back. He gave examples of cities in the world where rivers have been freed from pollution. He described improving the capacity and functioning of sewage treatment plants as the most important link in cleaning Yamuna.
Responsibility of departments will be decided after accidents
Giving the example of the Haujarani fire, the LG said that after this incident, a high level committee of officials of the concerned departments has been formed, which is being headed by the local District Magistrate. On the basis of the report of the committee, it will be decided what responsibility was of which department, at what level negligence took place and which officers are held accountable. After this further arrangements will be decided.
Focus on pollution, traffic and safety also
During a recent program at Lok Niwas, the LG also discussed issues like Delhi’s roads, pollution, traffic system, encroachment around hospitals and schools. He said that police and administration have been instructed to increase the use of AI and digital technology. He told the officers the need to go to the ground and understand the problems and work among the common people.