Govt for improving civic amenities before Commonwealth Games

"There are about three lakh manholes in Delhi... Strict instructions have been issued to the DJB that no manhole is left uncovered and wherever the covers are stolen they should be replaced immediately," Home Minister P Chidambaram said in the Lok Sabha during Question Hour.

As far as hanging electricity wires are concerned, he said said a major programme is underway to make all live wires underground. These wires would be taken underground in next 3-4 months.

He also informed the House that in the last four years the Delhi Police has registered eight cases relating to manhole accidents and one case of casualty has been reported so far.

In the written statement, Minister of State for Home Mullappally Ramachandran said the government is fully conscious of providing civic amenities including proper roads, safe manholes, clean drains and proper electric wiring for the benefit of the citizens.
"In this regard, a number of steps have been taken by the government of NCT of Delhi, Municipal Corporation of Delhi and New Delhi Municipal Council to spruce up civic facilities in the National Capital Territory of Delhi before the Commonwealth Games...," the minister said.

Ramachandran said a direction has been given to the electricity distribution companies to make live-wires on the street light poles underground on all the major roads.
"(We are) providing funds to make electric wires underground in some areas where hotels are located and where visitors of Commonwealth Games are likely to stay," the Minister said in the statement.

There is a plan to establish a separate round-the-clock Toll-free number -- 1266 -- to redress complaints relating to civic amenities, he added.