Delhi LG calls for mechanism to ensure facility inspections during monsoons

Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena on Monday raised concerns over the collapse of civic infrastructure during the monsoon season and called for an institutionalized mechanism to ensure regular inspections by senior officers.

In a letter from the Principal Secretary of the LG’s office to Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, it was directed that all Heads of Departments (HoDs), Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and Additional Chief Secretaries should create a schedule for field inspections. The inspection reports prepared by the Principal Secretary or Secretary of the department must be submitted to the Chief Secretary, with copies also sent to the LG Secretariat and the concerned Minister.

According to the directive:

• The Secretary of the concerned department or agency should conduct inspections fortnightly.
• The HoD should inspect weekly.
• Principal Secretaries should also conduct inspections fortnightly.

Additionally, the LG stressed that District Magistrates should engage with Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) in their jurisdictions once a month to identify and address local issues by coordinating with the relevant departments.

The push for stricter inspections comes after a recent incident in Old Rajendra Nagar, where heavy rains led to the flooding of the basement of a coaching institute. The incident highlighted significant lapses in the city’s infrastructure, drawing attention from both the judiciary and the government.

Following the incident, the Delhi High Court ordered civic officials to conduct site visits and submit a detailed report by Thursday, along with all relevant files. The court has emphasized that those responsible for the poor state of infrastructure must be held accountable. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Director and the Delhi Police have been included as respondents in the ongoing case, with the court listing the matter for a hearing on Friday.

During the hearing, the court criticized the Delhi Government, the MCD, and other civic bodies, questioning why century-old infrastructure had not been upgraded despite the relaxation of bylaws. The court expressed the need for identifying systemic failures and ensuring accountability through a formal statutory process.