The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) on Wednesday adopted a “work from home” arrangement following PM Narendra Modi’s appeal for fuel conservation and reviewed preparations for the upcoming India-Africa Summit via a virtual meeting presided over by Vice-Chairperson Kuljeet Singh Chahal.
The review meeting, attended virtually by heads of departments and senior officials, focused on sanitation, beautification, lighting, traffic management and civic infrastructure arrangements across NDMC territory ahead of the summit.
Chahal said special warm lighting arrangements would be made at 13 major roundabouts, while summit-themed showcases received from the Ministry of External Affairs would be displayed at nearly 50 LED sites and around 100 PTUs and CTUs across the Capital. Theme-based flex banners would also be installed at 10 identified roundabouts.
The Public Health Department has been directed to strengthen night sweeping and sanitation arrangements from May 28 to June 1, particularly on VIP routes, central roads and around key markets. NDMC officials said special deployment of sanitation workers and supervisory staff would ensure timely garbage lifting, regular inspections and real-time geo-tagged monitoring.
Reviewing horticulture arrangements, Chahal said decorative plantations, floral boards and seasonal flowers, including bougainvillea, would be used extensively for beautification. Hedge trimming, tree pruning and cleaning of green spaces will also be intensified, he added.
The civic body also directed the Roads and Drainage Department to ensure pothole-free roads, regular water jetting and desilting of drains and gully traps during the summit period. Pumps and super sucker machines will remain on standby at waterlogging-prone locations, and an online circle-wise monitoring system will be used for real-time supervision.
Chahal said encroachments, unauthorised hoardings and political banners along summit routes would be removed in coordination with the Delhi Police and traffic authorities to maintain the city’s appearance during the duration of the international event. The Sewerage Department has completed all major works and a 24×7 control room will remain operational during the summit period, with no road cutting permitted, said officials.
Highlighting NDMC’s preparations, Chahal said the civic body was committed to presenting a “clean, beautiful, well-organised and world-class Delhi” to foreign delegates attending the India-Africa Summit.
