Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Launches 20-Day Cleanliness Drive

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Launches 20-Day Cleanliness Drive

Delhi Addresses Pollution Crisis with Intensive 20-Day Cleanliness Drive as CM Rekha Gupta Aims for ‘Visible Transformation’ Amidst Waste Challenges Highlighted by Recent Observations

RMN News Report

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced the launch of a 20-day intensive cleanliness drive across the national capital, promising a visible transformation in the city’s public spaces. This initiative comes as New Delhi continues to grapple with significant environmental challenges, highlighted by recent observations depicting the city’s struggle with pollution and waste management. New Delhi is noted as one of the world’s most polluted national capitals.

A recent image captured on a roadside starkly illustrated these issues, showing two cows foraging through a pile of scattered garbage, a scene underscoring the consequences of inadequate waste management where even livestock are forced to seek sustenance from discarded materials.

The refuse included colourful plastic wrappers, bags, and discarded food waste. This visual serves as a “visual indictment of the pollution crisis” and prompts consideration of health risks, strain on the ecosystem, and the urgent need for effective waste management solutions. In response to such ongoing civic problems, a community-driven free online service called “Clean House”, launched in 2017, also exists for Delhi residents to report issues like stray cattle and garbage in their colonies.

Against this backdrop, the government’s intensive drive, which begins on Friday (May 2), aims to implement large-scale waste segregation, remove encroachments, and ensure daily monitoring and reporting. Chief Minister Gupta stated that cameras should be active everywhere in the city. Specific directives include banning single-use plastic in religious places, markets, and schools, greening dust-prone areas through plantations, and conducting cleanliness activities twice daily, at 8 am and in the evening.

Chief Minister Gupta stressed that all civic body officials would be held accountable for their respective areas. Every top official is mandated to visit their jurisdiction daily and submit reports that will eventually reach the CM’s office.

A firm stance was declared against wall defacement through posters or graffiti, which will incur strict penalties. Gupta made it clear that no encroachment, debris, or garbage will be tolerated on public pathways, parks, or markets. Top officials, including District Magistrates (DMs) and Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs), will be held responsible for any lapses.

The announcement followed a high-level meeting chaired by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena at Raj Niwas, attended by DMs, deputy commissioners, DCPs, and department heads. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta described the current situation as a “historic moment with the advent of a triple-engine government,” referring to the BJP-led central and state governments along with municipal control.

According to Gupta, this campaign is expected to “break the deadlock of years” and contribute to realising Prime Minister Modi’s vision of Swachh Bharat by making Delhi cleaner, greener, and more beautiful. This renewed emphasis on sanitation follows the Bharatiya Janata Party’s significant win in the recent Delhi Assembly elections, where cleanliness and sanitation were major campaign issues.