Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena said without the support of locals, their enthusiasm and patience in the face of inconveniences, this international event could not have played out with the perfection that it did. Also expressing gratitude towards the ground staff and officials of the NDMC, Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Delhi Police, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Delhi Cantt Board, PWD, Forest Department, MCD, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), IAF, ASI and other stakeholders, he said their “outstanding round-the-clock hard work over the last few months resulted in Delhi becoming an unprecedently clean and beautiful ‘Host City’ for the visiting dignitaries”.
Saxena thanked the heavens, “who made the stay of the visiting dignitaries all the more special by bringing down temperatures as well as the AQI”. As the summit, under India’s presidency of the G20, drew to a close on Sunday, the LG kept a constant vigil on security, organisation, civic infrastructure and services, beautification and general upkeep, officials informed.
“Throughout yesterday and today, Saxena kept in touch with the commissioner of police, keeping an eye on VVIP movement, car-cade routes, traffic and public transport and ensuring that markets outside the restricted zone were open and shoppers and commuters did not face any problems. Late in the day, he was informed of every dignitary, who was departing from the city from the IGI/Palam airports,” an official added.
Saxena, who had been keeping an eye on every VVIP movement, was also appreciative of the Delhi Police for “flawlessly handling many unscheduled visits by the visiting dignitaries in the city”. According to officials, the LG also remained in touch with the chief secretary, chairperson of the NDMC and the commissioner of MCD, keeping an eye on the cleanliness of the city. He also lauded the efforts to keep air pollution in the national capital under check over the last few days and also keeping dust pollution at a minimum by consistent spraying and cleaning of roads, pavements and central verges.
As the heavens opened up in the city while President Droupadi Murmu was hosting a dinner for the G20 leaders and delegates on Saturday, LG Saxena activated the contingency plan put in place for such an eventuality. Officers from different departments, including those from the LG Secretariat, detailed for this purpose, kept reporting to Saxena at regular intervals about any problems being faced and the steps being taken to address them. This exercise continued through the night and the minutest details were looked into, with the LG being briefed on the status over the phone, officials said.
According to officials, to deal with waterlogging at certain sites prone to flooding, pumps were immediately put into action and the rainwater was drained out within 15 minutes on Saturday night itself. “Similarly, potted plants that had tumbled due to the impact of rain and wind were replaced immediately and the incident of tree falling in the NDMC area was addressed forthwith. Similarly, the incident of a water fountain not working due to a choked nozzle, was addressed immediately and all Water Fountains worked ceaselessly,” an official release stated.
To ensure that no inconvenience is faced by the dignitaries visiting Raj Ghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi on Sunday, Saxena, who had been tracking their arrival at the venue on TV, ensured that during the 90-second interval between arrivals of each dignitary, the floor getting wet with the rain drizzle was mopped and dried, informed officials at Raj Niwas.
The LG was briefed by ITPO officials at 5 am that at the parking area near Gate No. 5 of the ITPO Complex, there was some waterlogging due to incessant overnight rains. He was informed at 6 am that the waterlogging at the site had been drained off by using the Heavy Duty Contingency Pumps deployed for this purpose, officials said, adding that when the dignitaries arrived at the venue at 10 am for the second-day session, the area was clean and green as it was before.Throughout these operations, before-and-after pictures of the sites were sent to the LG by the officers deputed for this purpose, officials said
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