Civic agencies intensify cleanliness drive in Delhi during festival season

In the view of the festive season, the civic agencies have launched a special sanitation drive in prominent city markets.

In the view of the festive season, the civic agencies have launched a special sanitation drive in prominent city markets.

Sanitation workers are being hired to conduct ‘night sweeping’ in prominent markets during the festival season. (Rajendra Gawankar / HT FILE)

The South Delhi Municipal Corporation will be hiring 250 sanitation workers on contract basis for ‘night sweeping’ in the markets. “We had cleared the proposal in the standing committee meeting last month. The department concerned has called the tender to hire workers and things will be in place by next week,” said Shailendra Singh Monty, chairman, standing committee.

The Corporation will be spending Rs 25 lakh per month on the project.

The concept of ‘night sweeping’ has been introduced on the behest of market associations. “The markets are open till late night during the festivals so the shopkeepers have been demanding that the markets should be cleaned late at night or early morning. The hired staff will clean the markets as per their convenience and make sure no garbage is scattered in the public places,” Singh said.

They will work in addition to the regular sanitation staff of the Corporation.

The North Delhi Municipal Corporation has also prepared a roster till October 31 for the regular visits by senior officials, including Deputy Commissioners, to prominent markets and public places.

Standing Committee chairman of North Delhi Municipal Corporation, Pravesh Wahi, said the drive will put emphasis on “micro-level monitoring of day-to-day cleanliness of all areas, lifting of solid waste and cleanliness of public urinals.”

“A team lead by additional commissioner Sanjay Goel will conduct surprise visits to these markets and public places to review their condition,” Wahi said.

The North Corporation plans to place 20-25 dustbins in each market ahead of Diwali. These dustbins will be placed near street vendors, especially those selling eatables, to make sure garbage is not dumped on the roadsides.

Besides reviewing preventive measures for control of water and vector-borne diseases, the Corporation will also ensure the repair and maintenance of roads, footpaths, pavements, parks, streetlights and high-mast lights in this period.