Delhi CM Orders Safety Overhaul After Janakpuri Accident

Expressing deep concern over lapses in safety arrangements at excavation and digging sites, the Chief Minister has directed strict enforcement of safety norms and fixed clear accountability on officers and contractors.

Following the Chief Minister's directions, the Chief Secretary has issued a comprehensive Office Memorandum mandating an eight-point safety framework to be followed without exception at all construction, repair and maintenance works involving digging or excavation of roads, footpaths and underground utilities across the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

"The Chief Minister has taken a very serious view of the Janakpuri accident and made it clear that loss of life due to negligence is unacceptable. Public safety cannot be compromised under any circumstances. Accountability will be fixed, and strict action will follow wherever lapses are found," an official statement from the Delhi government said.

The directive applies to all departments and agencies under the administrative control of the Delhi government, including but not limited to the Public Works Department (PWD), Irrigation and Flood Control Department (I&FC), Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), power distribution companies (DISCOMs) and all other executing agencies and contractors.

As per the eight-point directive, all work sites must display proper and adequate warning signage prominently and sufficiently in advance of all approaches. Reflector lights, blinkers and luminous tapes are to be mandatorily installed around excavated areas and barricades, especially during night hours and in low-visibility conditions.

The Chief Minister has also ordered that strong, continuous and clearly visible barricading be ensured around the entire work site by all departments to prevent accidental access by pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles. Barricades must be erected in a manner that eliminates the risk of accidents and ensures that no excavated material or open digging is visible to passersby or causes dust pollution. Wherever required, departments have been directed to put in place safe pedestrian pathways and proper traffic diversion arrangements in coordination with the concerned authorities, ensuring minimal inconvenience while prioritising safety.

Importantly, the directive fixes clear responsibility for compliance on both the concerned field officers and the executing agencies or contractors. Engineers-in-charge and field engineers have been instructed to conduct regular inspections of all such work sites and ensure that prescribed safety measures are maintained throughout the execution period.

In a time-bound move, all departments and organisations have been ordered to carry out an immediate review of all ongoing and recently undertaken excavation and digging works within Delhi. A consolidated report detailing the locations of such sites, safety measures in place and corrective steps taken wherever deficiencies are noticed must be submitted to the Chief Secretary's office within three days.

The Chief Minister has made it unequivocally clear that any violation, laxity or non-compliance with these instructions will be viewed seriously. In the event of any accident, injury or loss of life attributable to negligence, strict disciplinary action will be initiated against responsible officers and agencies in accordance with rules, in addition to any other legal action that may be warranted.

All departments have also been directed to immediately issue instructions to subordinate offices, field officials and executing agencies and to ensure regular monitoring and strict enforcement of these safety measures at all work sites.

"The Chief Minister has made it clear that the safety of citizens is paramount. No department or contractor will be allowed to cut corners, and enforcement on the ground will be closely monitored," the statement added.

The Delhi government reiterated its commitment to ensuring public safety and accountability, stressing that systemic corrective action will be taken with a sense of urgency.

In a significant move to enhance urban safety and environmental standards, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) has issued comprehensive directives to all departments on excavation and digging sites.

Departments are required to install proper and adequate warning signage alongside reflectors , blinkers, or luminous tape to ensure visibility at all hours. To prevent accidents, the CM has ordered the installation of strong, continuous, and conspicuous barricades and has specifically instructed that excavated materials must be managed so they are not visible to passersby and do not contribute to dust pollution.

Furthermore, the directives emphasise the creation of safe pedestrian pathways and the organisation of traffic diversion arrangements to minimise public inconvenience.

To ensure accountability, clear responsibility for compliance must be fixed for each project, supported by regular site inspections. As an immediate measure, all departments have been directed to review of all ongoing and recently undertaken excavation works and submit a consolidated report to the CMO within three days.

- ANI