Delhi set for a 'makeover' as Naidu rolls out action plan

New Delhi, Sept 11: Aiming to give Delhi a facelift, Urban Development Ministry today firmed up an action plan to ensure a "clean and green" capital city, with major focus on sanitation, waste disposal and upkeep of public places, to improve the quality of life of its residents.

In a meeting with all stakeholders, Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu chalked out a detailed three-pronged strategy - short term, medium term and long term - to carry out the beautification drive by various concerned agencies.

Emphasising the need for concerted efforts to ensure a "clean and green" Delhi, Naidu noted that the general public perception of management of public places and utilities is very poor and needed to be changed through a special drive which is to be sustained till the objective is realised.

DDA will undertake tree plantation, streetscape improvement through improved signages, street lighting, street furniture and public conveniences besides revival of 59 water bodies and building of toilets on BOT basis in parks and public areas, said a senior Urban Development Ministry official.

Removal of garbage, encroachments from roads and footpaths and repair and painting of the same, cleaning and facelift of urinals and declogging of drainage system to prevent water logging are some of the short term measures to be taken as immediate action by Delhi government.

The short term measures also include cleanliness drive in bus terminals, hospitals and educational institutions, commissioning of stretch of first phase of Interceptor Sewer and removal of green waste and litter from parks and gardens, as per the firmed up plan.

PTI