Chief Secretary orders citywide safety review of construction works

Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma on Saturday ordered a safety review of ongoing construction works and directed all departments to submit a report within three days.

Highlighting “serious concern” over safety arrangements at construction sites, Mr. Verma instructed the departments to adhere to an eight-point safety framework. “It has been observed with serious concern that in several cases, construction, repair and maintenance works involving digging or excavation of roads, footpaths and underground utilities are being undertaken without adequate safety arrangements,” read an official communication. The communication, issued on the directions of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, said the government had taken a serious view of a motorcyclist’s death in Janakpuri on Thursday.

As per the directions, “proper and adequate” warning signages should be displayed prominently and sufficiently in advance of work sites from all approaches. “Reflector lights, blinkers or luminous tapes shall be installed around excavated areas and barricades, especially during night hours and in low-visibility conditions. Strong, continuous and conspicuous barricading must be ensured around the entire work site to prevent accidental access by pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles, it read.

Engineers-in-charge and field engineers have also been instructed to conduct regular inspections of all such sites and ensure that prescribed safety measures are maintained throughout the execution period, according to the Chief Minister’s Office.