New Delhi: Under fire over the death of a
senior citizen who fell into a pit at an MCD work site, the
civic body on Wednesday promised strict penal action, including
filing of criminal cases, against the officials or contractors
not adhering to safety measures.
A meeting of the MCD Standing Committee saw councillors
cutting across party lines raising the issue of uncovered pits
and drains in MCD areas.
T N Makan (77), a former additional private secretary to
former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, died after falling
into an open pit in Malviya Nagar on Friday night. The civic
body received severe criticism after it came to light that the
pit was neither barricaded nor a warning notice put up.
Municipal Commissioner K S Mehra said instructions had
been given to MCD staff and contractors to ensure safety
measures like barricading, warning signs and lighting.
"After this unfortunate incident, I have again issued
instructions so that such measures are taken. We will take
strict action against those not adhering to safety rules and
may even file criminal cases against them," Mehra said.
He pointed out that the MCD has already suspended an
assistant engineer for alleged dereliction of duty in this
matter. It will also penalise the contractor concerned, he
said.
A number of councillors, including those from the ruling
BJP, said that several drains have also been left uncovered
after de-silting work was conducted by the civic body.
Engineer-in-Chief Ravi Dass admitted that some drains,
whose covers were removed for cleaning, were left open due to
negligence and promised to ensure that they were covered
within "three to four days".
BJP councillors also claimed that various agencies like
DJB were engaging in road-cutting in MCD areas without taking
permission from the civic body.
Former chairman of the Standing Committee Vijender Gupta
said there was a need for formulation of a comprehensive
policy on digging of roads and related public safety measures.
Bureau Report
First Published: Wednesday, September 02, 2009, 18:10