New Delhi: Chief minister Rekha Gupta on Friday pulled up departments and agencies executing govt construction and excavation works for failing to submit safety compliance reports. She directed them to submit the reports within three days, and warned that any lapse in following safety norms or timelines would invite serious disciplinary action.Gupta expressed displeasure that most departments did not respond to the Feb 7 safety directive on time, while several submissions were incomplete. Stating that the safety of residents and workers was non-negotiable, she asked senior officials to conduct regular field inspections, ensure mandatory use of protective gear at all sites, and immediately rectify deficiencies. The directions came in the wake of a biker’s death in a pit in Janakpuri.
An official said that reports would cover all ongoing and recently completed excavation and digging works across the city, including precise site locations, safety arrangements in place, and corrective measures taken wherever deficiencies were found. Submissions will also include geo-tagged photographs and clearly identify the designated nodal officer responsible for safety compliance. “District magistrates and revenue and disaster management officials have also been instructed to independently inspect the worksites,” the official added.Officials were asked to immediately flag any unsafe excavation or construction sites discovered during inspections or through public feedback. Taking note of instances where labourers were engaged in underground and elevated works,Gupta directed all the agencies concerned to ensure use of safety gear.Additionally, the CM also asked departments to coordinate and begin preparations for desilting ahead of the monsoon season.
