Projects To Tackle Monsoon Woes Get Poll Panel’s Nod

New Delhi: Municipal Corporation of Delhi has received approval from the Election Commission of India for various urgent projects that are aimed at mitigating waterlogging threat during the monsoon season. The poll panel has recently approved at least 95 proposals, many of which are intended to be implemented before the monsoon arrives. These projects include remodelling of drains, repairing and strengthening of pumping stations, and desilting.
An MCD official said, “An urgent clearance had been sought from the election commission for many proposals of various departments.Considering the model code of conduct in force due to Lok Sabha elections, we are supposed to approach the EC because these are regular works and can’t be delayed. With respect to pre-monsoon preparations, which include desilting of drains, the deadline is June 15. Permission was also sought for assigning tasks to various agencies for cleaning drains deeper than 4 ft.”
New Delhi Municipal Council has, too, received permission from the poll panel for similar proposals.
According to a letter sent by the poll panel, the proposal for awarding of contract and execution of desilting of drains and allied activities to avoid waterlogging during ensuing monsoon has got the nod. Work for providing, running and maintaining the services of eight hydraulic-operated anti-smog guns and truck-mounted vehicles in NDMC area will continue. Floating tenders through GeM portal for procuring material or goods for day-to-day maintenance works has also got the green signal of the poll panel.
These approvals have been given the nod with a condition that no political mileage of this shall be gained by anyone anywhere during the elections.
In another relaxation, NDMC received permission to float a tender for improving the drainage system in division IV and conducting a CCTV camera survey of stormwater lines in the area.
The election commission also approved pending work for procuring five new anaesthesia workstations for the newly constructed operation theatre and one recovery area in the OT complex at Charak Palika and Palika Maternity hospitals.