Delhi: Rs 28 crore project for mechanised sweeping in Connaught Place, nearby areas gets NDMC go-ahead

NEW DELHI: A proposal for complete mechanisation of sweeping in Connaught Place and nearby areas was approved in the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) meeting on Wednesday, which was also attended by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. The project will cost Rs 28 crore.
The council also gave approval to traders in Shankar Market for 100% wooden loft area for storage, a decision which was pending for five decades.
"For the mechanised sweeping, a concessionaire has been roped in for a period of two years. The company will engage several machines, including mechanical road sweepers, ride on sweeping machines (battery operated) and walk behind sweeping machines-similar to the machines engaged at the Delhi airport. These will be of different sizes to enable cleaning and washing at every corner thoroughly during night time," said NDMC vice-chairperson Satish Upadhyay.
The project will cover all roads, parking lots and corridors of Connaught Place, Janpath, Baba Khadak Singh Marg, etc.
"We have taken up the project under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Considering that the area is a prime business centre in Delhi, its flawless maintenance, cleanliness and sanitation is very important," stated Upadhyay.
He further said that the objective of NDMC behind this project was also to achieve 7-star ranking in the upcoming Swachhta Survekshan 2022.
The council agreed to finalise terms and conditions on the regularisation of existing wooden lofts at Shankar Market as well. "No damage charges will be levied by the council on shopkeepers in case of violation of loft areas in shops/stalls of Shankar Market earlier," said Upadhyay. The development will benefit at least 150 shopowners.
The traders had been asking for this relief since 1977.
In the meeting, the council also approved a proposal to raise demand from the unified corporation for repayment of the amount, which has already been released on account of salary and allowances to north MCD staff working with the monitoring committee appointed by Supreme Court, to NDMC.