JOIN USCutting across party lines, the AAP government, the Centre and the BJP-ruled municipal corporations joined hands to rid the National Capital of filth, garbage and construction waste by launching a week-long “Swachh Delhi Campaign” on Sunday.
Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu gave a cheque of Rs 96.70 crore to the Delhi government under “Swachh Bharat Mission” as first installment for 2015-16 for the construction of “individual household toilets” (IHHTs) and solid waste management (SWM) system.
Under “Swachh Delhi Abhiyan”, the city government and its agencies will work in tandem with the three municipal corporations to lift garbage and debris from roads, parks, schools, colleges and hospitals from November 22 to 30.
Launching the mission, Venkaiah Naidu said people’s mindset can be changed by converting the “abhiyan” into a pubic movement. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said it was a historic day as all the parties and civic agencies have come together for cleaning Delhi.
An app has been launched on November 16 under the Abhiyan, inviting people to send photographs of waste lying on roads. Some 60,000 people have used the app for sending pictures.
The city government would launch “Jahan Jhuggi, Wahi Makaan” and “Clean Yamuna” programmes after the cleanliness drive, Kejriwal added.
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia asked officials in Delhi government, municipal corporations, NDMC and DDA to come together in making the mission a success.
Sisodia said the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) will complete the construction of 4,000 community toilets by December 2015. As many as 2,000 toilets have already been constructed, said an official.
The deputy chief minister added that construction and demolition-based recycling plant of 500-metric tonne capacity has started operation in Shastri Park as per the concession agreement between East Delhi Municipal Corporation and IL&FS Environmental Infrastructure and Services Ltd.
The Union Urban Development Minister also announced Rs 1,500 crore package to Delhi government for decongestion of roads by building underpasses and flyovers.
He also announced Rs 85 crore development package to North Delhi Municipal Corporation and Rs 1,665 crore for clearing its projects.