3 month ban on road cuttings to avoid waterlogging

New Delhi, June 15 (UNI) As a preventive step against waterlogging in Delhi during the coming monsoon season, the state government today ordered an end to the massive ongoing road cutting work being conducted by different agencies for a period of three months.

Delhi Urban Development and PWD Minister A K Walia directed the MCD, the DDA and the PWD to enforce a ban on road cuttings from today till September 15 in Delhi as the monsoon was likely to reach the city by June 29.

Dr Walia said it had been decided to effectively enforce the ban to avoid water logging and inconvenience to the people.

Instructions had also been issued to restore cuts on the roads and ensure removal of accumulated rubble on road sides.

The ban would remain in force for three months. However, necessary permission would be granted to undertake urgent and unavoidable requirements.

Digging of road to lay cables/ lines for utilities/ services would permitted only in rare and essential cases keeping in view the importance of the work.

Dr Walia has categorically said that all roads in Delhi should be smooth and without any visible cuttings. The 'malba' should be removed immediately.

''The city must look like a world class and beautiful capital city as we are preparing for the ensuing Commonwealth Games- 2010,'' he said.

He has further directed Urban Development Department to prepare a digital map showing infrastructural details of utilities and services.

Agencies have been instructed to undertake road cutting wherever necessary by using trench less technology, causing minimum inconvenience to the people and minimum obstacle in the smooth flow of traffic.

It may be recalled that MCD, DDA, MTNL, Private Telecom Companies, BSES and NDPL have been undertaking massive road cutting for laying utility lines in the city.

UNI