NDMC Plans Better Disaster Readiness

NEW DELHI: New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has decided to come up with a comprehensive plan for disaster management in its area. The aim is to identify necessary measures to avoid loss of lives and property in case of any disaster.“We are eyeing a plan to understand the capacity to withstand disasters of all nature. A budget of Rs 10 crore for financial year 2020-21 has been approved for this purpose,” said NDMC chairman Dharmendra.The civic agency also aims to redevelop seven prominent roads, including KG Marg, Barakhamba Road, Sansad Marg, Janpath, Abdul Kalam Road, BKS Marg and Maulana Azad Road, under the Smart City plan. “They will have modern kiosks, street furniture, parking facilities, electric poles and seating plazas among other facilities,” said Dharmendra. The work will be taken up in 2020-21.NDMC also plans to provide seamless civic services to the citizens. “To entertain residents’ complaint we will develop artificial intelligence-based chatbot facility. From June 2020, it will enable citizens to get faster response to their queries 24X7,” said the chairman.NDMC is also working on a policy to finalise the rate charge at e- charging stations. “We aim to establish 100 fast e-charging stations this year,” said an NDMC official.The chairman has also proposed to provide financial assistance to RWAs and traders’ associations. “A sum of Rs 10 crore has been proposed for the year 2020-21 with an objective to provide scope for local initiatives and projects,” said the chairman. A digital gallery dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi is proposed to be established at Bapu Samaj Sewa Kendra at PK Road.E-office system will be integrated for maintaining file and records. “It will increase accountability of officials holding the files with them for long,” said Dharmendra. In the education sector, NDMC aims to install panic buttons in all schools in a couple of months. The civic agency also aims to reduce carbon footprints by ensuring “green waste disposal” methods.Multistorey complex to come up near Yashwant PlaceNew Delhi Municipal Council has prepared a plan to construct multistorey commercial complex at the vacant land between Akbar Bhawan and Satya Marg in Chanakyapuri area. The work at the complex, located next to Yashwant Place, will start soon.The complex will have four basements and 10 floors, and an amount of Rs 89 crore has been approved for it. The project was mentioned in the budget approved by the NDMC chairman on Friday for the next financial year. An official said the project was expected to complete in two years. “We aim to generate revenue by leasing out offices/commercial complexes. The basements will be for the parking purpose,” the official added.In Video:NDMC plans better disaster readiness