Premium

Don’t pass the buck, PWD’s image needs overhaul: Parvesh Sahib Singh to officials day after record rain

Singh announced a 21-day special cleanliness drive of drains and roads in the Capital.

On Saturday, the minister also directed officials to ensure that the entire city, including roadside debris, and waterlogged areas must be cleaned and no dirty spots should remain.

Take action against anti-social activities, remove encroachments, and beggars from under the flyovers, said Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh on Saturday as he announced a 21-day special cleanliness drive of drains and roads in the Capital. Singh issued the directions at a high-level meeting with all engineers and officials, a day after the city saw the second-highest single-day rain in May since 1901, causing waterlogging and traffic snarls.

“PWD’s image has deteriorated — now improvement is mandatory. The public has lost trust in the PWD. When roads are dug, they remain that way for months. Drain cleaning remains incomplete. People think of the PWD as a department where work gets stuck in files. This image must change. We all must work together to restore the department’s dignity,” he said while addressing the officials.

“It doesn’t matter whether you like the government or not. You are in PWD — that is your fate. God has given you the opportunity to work in this department. Now think about how well you are fulfilling this responsibility…Job satisfaction comes only when your work is visible on the ground,” he said.

Story continues below this ad

A senior official, present at the meeting, said, “The Minister gave a strict warning to officials against giving excuses. He also gave his number to all the engineers across the hierarchy. He asked them to call him anytime if they face any problem in executing any project and need his support. It was the first such meeting where a minister shared his number and said that officials can WhatsApp and call him anytime.”

The PWD Minister further raised the issue of ‘blame-game’ culture in the department and said, “PWD has complicit coordination. You all keep passing the buck, and contractors take advantage. This can’t continue. The mindset of ‘Why should I do it?’ must end.”

On cleanliness in the city, he insisted, “These are your department’s flyovers, yet under them we see beggars, garbage, and darkness. Some cases are in court, some files are pending — but this is an injustice to Delhi’s beauty. This all must be cleared. Give suggestions for putting these spaces to good use.”

Waterlogging emerged as the top public grievance on Friday, with PWD receiving the highest number of complaints related to the category. Pragati Maidan Tunnel, Vikas Marg, ITO Ring Road, Dhaula Kuan, Lajpat Nagar, Patparganj, Minto Bridge, and Chirag Dilli Flyover were among the areas where waterlogging was reported.

Story continues below this ad

“We won’t let public money go to waste. This department gives you your livelihood. Your home runs because of this department. So, its dignity should be your priority. Every tender should be transparent. Every task should be of quality, at the right rate, and completed on time.”

The Minister also warned the officials that not only junior engineers but senior engineers will also be held accountable if any negligence is found on the ground. “If you’re helping contractors profit from delays, you are also responsible,” he told the officials.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram