Delhi Government Launches Cleanliness Drive and Announces Festival Time Extensions

The Delhi government, under the ‘Seva Pakhwada’ program, organized a cleanliness campaign led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 75th birthday. This initiative, lasting until October 2nd, involves the introduction of 75 public services. Gupta and her cabinet actively participated in the sanitation drive on the Ring Road in Shalimar Bagh, where they cleaned the area. Gupta took the opportunity to warn against the practice of littering and posting materials that deface the city. She underscored the importance of continuous efforts to maintain cleanliness, rather than one-time initiatives. Gupta observed littering and posters and highlighted that these actions contribute to the city’s untidiness. Thousands of people were involved in the Ring Road cleaning. Gupta stressed the need for collaboration between organizations, RWAs, representatives, officials, and the public to ensure a clean environment. She requested Delhi residents to avoid wall writing and posting, particularly asking leaders not to use her image on posters. Any form of defacement will be addressed, urging both officials and the public to cooperate. The Delhi government has also decided to extend the speaker usage time during Ramlila and Durga Puja festivals, allowing it until 12 AM. Gupta mentioned that Hindu festivals often faced time constraints, and she questioned the restrictions when other regions permit events to continue throughout the night. Consequently, permission has been granted for all Ramlila, Durga Puja, and religious celebrations to extend their activities until midnight. She also mentioned the ongoing development work under the ‘Seva Pakhwada’ and highlighted the re-initiation of the interstate bus service.