Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has directed officials to intensify cleanliness drives across the national capital ahead of Diwali and other festivals, ordering night-time cleaning in residential colonies and major markets and warning that negligence in maintaining cleanliness will not be tolerated.

According to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), chairing a high-level meeting at the Delhi Secretariat on Wednesday, Gupta instructed the concerned departments and agencies to immediately address shortcomings in the cleanliness system, remove garbage dumps and ensure regular cleaning across the city.

The meeting was attended by Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood, Delhi Mayor Parvesh Wahi, representatives of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Chief Secretary Rajiv Verma, Municipal Commissioner Sanjeev Khirwar and senior officers of the concerned departments.

According to the CMO, the Chief Minister said complaints had been received about heaps of garbage lying in several areas and delays in its collection. Despite efforts being made to improve cleanliness, the expected results were not visible on the ground, with
instances of negligence in garbage collection reported in certain zones.