Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta convened a high-stakes meeting with heads of departments today, signalling a robust augmentation of the capital’s emergency preparedness protocols.
The central focus of this crucial assembly at the Delhi Secretariat was a meticulous evaluation of departmental readiness to confront exigencies and a comprehensive review of ongoing developmental initiatives, all viewed through the prism of ensuring citizen safety and the seamless continuity of essential services. The Chief Minister articulated a clear mandate for a multi-layered, synchronised, and dynamic strategy designed to effectively address a spectrum of potential emergency scenarios. This comprehensive blueprint encompasses critical sectors that form the very bedrock of urban life, including healthcare, transportation networks, educational institutions, fire safety mechanisms, and the welfare of the city’s vital workforce.
A key directive emanating from the meeting centred on the Health Department, tasked with ensuring that Delhi’s healthcare infrastructure operates at peak readiness. This includes a mandate for fully operational hospitals, an adequate fleet of ambulances strategically positioned across the city, ample reserves of essential medicines and medical consumables, guaranteed electrical backup systems for critical Intensive Care Units, and meticulously prepared duty rosters for the medical fraternity. In a decisive step, all leaves for medical personnel have been rescinded to bolster manpower, and a strong emphasis has been placed on seamless coordination with central government-run hospitals such as the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to ensure a unified response capability. Recognising the pivotal role of uninterrupted utilities, the Power Department received unequivocal instructions to ensure swift and effective responses to any power disruptions and to establish robust backup power provisions for all essential services, thereby safeguarding critical infrastructure and citizen well-being. Similarly, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), responsible for the city’s water supply, has been directed to fortify the water distribution network, deploy water tankers to strategic locations for contingency supply, and guarantee round-the-clock electrical backup for all water pumping stations, ensuring consistent access to this fundamental resource.
The Revenue Department has been tasked with the immediate activation of District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs), underscoring the decentralised approach to emergency response. This activation includes the prompt identification and preparation of emergency shelters to house displaced populations and ensuring that Civil Defence Volunteers (CDVs) are at a state of high readiness for immediate deployment. A significant emphasis was also placed on fostering robust lines of communication and coordination with the armed forces, railway authorities, and airport management to facilitate rapid and synchronised responses during any crisis that may unfold. Ensuring the security of critical infrastructure and the integrity of essential supply chains falls under the purview of the Home and Police Departments, which have been instructed to maintain round-the-clock vigilance. Furthermore, preparations are underway for the potential implementation of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) should circumstances warrant, demonstrating the government’s commitment to preventing disruptions to vital services.
The Food and Civil Supplies Department is now under directive to rigorously monitor the availability of essential commodities at ration shops, track petroleum and cooking gas reserves, and ensure the seamless operation of the food supply chain, mitigating the risk of shortages during emergencies. The Public Works Department (PWD), along with municipal corporations including the MCD and NDMC, and other relevant agencies, have been instructed to maintain an updated roster of contractors equipped for emergency evacuation and the swift reconstruction of any damaged infrastructure. Crucially, these departments are also tasked with proactive planning for the deployment of necessary machinery and equipment, encompassing street cleaning, power restoration, lighting, and other essential urban support services. In the realm of mobility and evacuation, the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) have been directed to finalise comprehensive emergency evacuation plans. Both entities are mandated to develop clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), detailed route maps for efficient movement, and robust fleet management strategies to ensure the safe and coordinated transit of citizens to secure locations during a crisis. The Education Department has been instructed to identify and prepare schools and college campuses under its jurisdiction for potential use as temporary shelters, with a strong emphasis on collaborative arrangements with District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) to ensure adequate provisions for shelter, sustenance, medical aid, and sanitation.
The Delhi Fire Department has been placed on high alert, instructed to maintain constant readiness and work in close coordination with the Revenue and Police Departments to ensure rapid response and effective relief operations in the event of fires, explosions, or structural collapses. Furthermore, the Labor Department has been tasked with the critical responsibility of ensuring the safety, rehabilitation, and provision of necessary assistance to workers in the informal sector and migrant labourers, including temporary employment support, ration distribution, and access to health services within relief camps. Concluding the pivotal meeting, Chief Minister Gupta reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the Delhi Government to stand resolutely with its citizens in any eventuality. She underscored that the government’s paramount priority remains the safety and security of every resident and the uninterrupted provision of essential services. She called upon all departments to foster a spirit of collaboration and ensure that there are no shortcomings in serving the public during these critical times. This concerted effort signals Delhi’s dedication to building a resilient and responsive urban ecosystem, capable of weathering any storm while upholding the well-being of its populace.
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