Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) Taranjit Singh Sandhu, along with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, on Monday chaired a Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) meeting to review the status of the ongoing enforcement drive against illegal buildings, fire safety violations, and the city’s disaster management preparedness.

The L-G, who is also the DDMA Chairman, suggested exploring the induction of former Agniveers into the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) to address the shortage of manpower and fill operational vacancies to strengthen emergency response in the Capital.

Expressing displeasure over the fire department’s enforcement record, Mr. Sandhu said the DFS had not issued a single notice during the ongoing drive against violations. He directed the DFS Principal Director to take immediate action and submit updates to the offices of the L-G, Chief Minister and Home Minister.

Home Minister Ashish Sood and PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh were also present in the meeting.

The DDMA accepted a proposal by Mr. Sood to enforce Section 32 of the Delhi Fire Services Act, 2007, extending fire prevention and safety measures to all multi-storey buildings in Delhi, irrespective of whether they require a fire safety certificate.

At present, buildings taller than 15 metres are required to obtain a no-objection certificate from the DFS.

Reviewing the ongoing crackdown on illegal and unsafe structures, the L-G said enforcement should be strict but must not lead to harassment of ordinary residents.

No room for excuses: CM

The Chief Minister underlined that all government agencies and authorities must work seamlessly as one team to deliver results, noting that there is no room for excuses or underutilised administrative powers.

The Hindu Bureau New Delhi 
The Delhi government has approved projects worth over ₹1,000 crore to strengthen water management, sewage treatment and water supply systems under its Mission Yamuna initiative, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) stated on Sunday.

The package includes new rainwater harvesting structures and the restoration of existing ones to improve groundwater recharge and water security.

The Delhi Jal Board will “appoint four groundwater experts and 10 rainwater harvesting social mobilisers to support implementation,” read the CMO statement.

A major trunk sewer line from Amichand Chowk to the Old Kalyanpuri sewage pumping station in Trilokpuri will be revamped at a cost of nearly ₹57 crore. The over-40-year-old line has suffered repeated cave-ins and technical faults, it added.

The government has also cleared the upgrade of Phase I of the Keshopur sewage treatment plant from 12 million gallons per day (MGD) to 18 MGD at an estimated cost of ₹122 crore. The project aims to ensure treated water meets the latest standards and is reused more effectively.

“In addition, an underground reservoir of 0.72 MGD and a booster pumping station will be built in Shahdara’s Rohtas Nagar at a cost of about ₹27 crore,” said the CMO.

The government has also approved the installation of 12 decentralised sewage treatment plants in Najafgarh under the Centre’s Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation scheme. Estimated at around ₹860 crore, the plants will have a combined treatment capacity of 46.5 MGD and are expected to reduce untreated waste flowing into the Yamuna through the Najafgarh drain.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the government’s priority is to improve civic infrastructure and ensure sustainable use of water resources in the city. “These initiatives will directly benefit lakhs of citizens and give fresh impetus to the resolve of making Delhi a clean, green and water-secure Capital,” she stated.

Power after eight years

Ms. Gupta also met 36 families from Harsh Vihar’s A-3 block who are in the process of getting electricity connections after eight years, said Ms. Gupta’s office. “Electrification work has been completed, and the process of installing electricity meters for eligible applicants is under way. Most demand notes have already been issued,” the statement read.

Ms. Gupta said residents had raised the issue during a public grievance hearing, informing her that many families in the area had been waiting for regular power connections since 2018.

“Coordination was established among stakeholders concerned, and land for installing a transformer was made available,” the statement added.