CM Rekha Gupta Reviews Mission Kayakalp, Monsoon Preparedness and Kanwar Yatra Arrangements
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta on Monday chaired a meeting of the DDC Apex Committee to review the progress of improvement works being carried out in government schools under Mission Kayakalp, preparations for the upcoming Kanwar Yatra, and measures to tackle waterlogging during the monsoon. During the meeting, all District Magistrates presented the work undertaken to transform two of the most dilapidated government schools in their respective districts. The preparedness of various departments for the monsoon was also reviewed in detail.
The meeting, held at the Delhi Secretariat, was attended by DDC Chairperson and Moti Nagar MLA Shri Harish Khurana, Rohtas Nagar MLA Shri Jitendra Mahajan, Rithala MLA Shri Kulwant Rana, Krishna Nagar MLA Dr. Anil Goyal, Model Town MLA Shri Ashok Goel, Timarpur MLA Shri Surya Prakash Khatri, Mundka MLA Shri Gajendra Daral, Uttam Nagar MLA Shri Pawan Sharma, Kasturba Nagar MLA Shri Neeraj Basoya, all 13 District Magistrates and senior officials from various departments.
Mission Kayakalp Transforming Government Schools
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the government’s objective is not just to provide quality education but also to ensure that children study in a safe, clean and inspiring environment. With this objective, all District Magistrates were assigned the responsibility of identifying two of the most dilapidated government schools in their districts during the summer vacation and carrying out their complete transformation under ‘Mission Kayakalp’.
Reviewing the work carried out across districts, the Chief Minister specially appreciated those officers who went beyond the assigned tasks by developing facilities such as libraries, STEM labs, science labs, computer labs, smart classrooms, water coolers, renovated toilets and attractive wall paintings. She particularly commended the District Magistrates of Outer North, North-East and New Delhi for the outstanding work carried out under Mission Kayakalp and described their efforts as an example for other districts to follow.
Basic Facilities Must Be the Top Priority
The Chief Minister stressed that several schools have witnessed remarkable improvements through community participation, CSR initiatives and crowdfunding, creating a model that other districts can also emulate. She directed officials not to stop at cosmetic repairs, but to give the highest priority to essential facilities for students, including drinking water, safety, furniture, laboratories and libraries. She also made it clear that poorly maintained school toilets would not be tolerated under any circumstances and that schools should provide an environment that inspires children to learn from the moment they enter the campus.
Agencies Directed to Work Together on Waterlogging
During the meeting, MLAs and public representatives highlighted serious issues related to waterlogging, drainage, desilting of drains, pumping stations and power substations in their respective Assembly constituencies. Taking immediate note of these concerns, the Chief Minister directed all concerned departments to ensure that every issue is resolved within a fixed timeframe. She instructed that wherever required, different agencies should coordinate with one another, conduct joint inspections and begin ground-level action without delay so that people receive timely relief.
Zero Tolerance Towards Waterlogging, Officials Asked to Visit the Field
Reviewing monsoon preparedness, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta reiterated a zero-tolerance policy towards waterlogging and made it clear that such situations would not be accepted anywhere in Delhi. She said citizens are not concerned with whether a particular area falls under the jurisdiction of the PWD, MCD, Delhi Jal Board or DDA, they simply expect a permanent solution to their problems. She directed officials not to remain confined to their offices but to visit the field themselves and assess the actual situation. At all vulnerable locations and hotspots where waterlogging was witnessed after the very first rainfall, immediate arrangements should be made for pumps, drains should be cleaned and drainage connectivity restored.
Close Monitoring of Vulnerable Hotspots
The meeting included a detailed review of waterlogging-prone areas and ongoing projects in Baljeet Nagar, Patel Nagar, Sangam Vihar, Bawana, Kirari Sectors 20 to 24, Patparganj, Mungeshpur, Rama Vihar, Khedi Pul, Laxmi Nagar, Krishna Nagar and Mandawali, among other sensitive locations. The Chief Minister directed that wherever projects involving multiple departments are pending, the concerned agencies should jointly prepare a time-bound action plan. Instead of waiting for complaints over mobile phones, officials should personally inspect roads and drains and give top priority to pumping stations, drainage links and desilting works.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also directed all DDC Chairpersons to regularly submit detailed progress reports on development works and major projects being undertaken in their respective districts to the Chief Minister's Office. She said continuous monitoring of development works, timely execution and improvement of public services in every district are among the administration's primary responsibilities.
Comprehensive Preparations for Kanwar Yatra, Directions to Organise PM UDAY Camps
Reviewing preparations for the upcoming Kanwar Yatra, the Chief Minister directed all District Magistrates to coordinate with registered organisations that had organised camps in previous years and ensure that all necessary arrangements are made well in advance. Adequate arrangements for drinking water, sanitation, medical facilities, electricity and smooth traffic movement should be put in place to ensure the convenience and safety of devotees. In addition, she directed that special camps be organised across all unauthorised colonies in Delhi under the PM UDAY Scheme so that residents can complete their registration well before the October 31 deadline.
The Chief Minister also reviewed the establishment of Mini Secretariats in every district, the progress of rainwater harvesting, weekly public grievance hearings held every Saturday at District Magistrate offices, regular cleanliness drives around public places and government office complexes, and the development of cooling zones to provide relief from the summer heat. She directed officials to ensure the effective and timely implementation of all these initiatives.
Special Focus on Encroachment Removal, Plantation and Dust Mitigation
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta directed MCD officials to intensify the drive against encroachments on footpaths to ensure safe and convenient movement for pedestrians. She also emphasised the need for active and wider participation of all MLAs and government departments in the plantation drive of 7 lakhs saplings. In addition, she directed that, as part of the dust mitigation initiative, grass and green cover be developed on a large scale along central verges and brown areas of roads to help reduce dust pollution and make the city cleaner and greener. She said the Delhi Government is not confined to framing policies alone but is equally committed to ensuring their effective implementation through continuous field monitoring, inter-departmental coordination and equal importance to suggestions from public representatives. She added that every official will be held personally accountable for the implementation of Mission Kayakalp, monsoon management and Kanwar Yatra arrangements.