Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta chaired a high-level meeting on Saturday at the Delhi Secretariat with Heads of Departments (HODs) from key sectors including health, transport, education, fire services, and workers’ welfare. The focus was on assessing departmental preparedness for the current emergency situation and reviewing ongoing development work.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister emphasized the need for a multi-tiered, coordinated, and active strategy to address emergencies effectively in the capital. She issued specific directives to all departments to enhance readiness and response capabilities. The Health Department was instructed to ensure hospitals are fully prepared, including availability of ambulances, sufficient stock of medicines and consumables, backup electricity for ICUs, and well-defined duty rosters for medical staff.
The Power Department was directed to ensure rapid response to outages and provide uninterrupted power to essential services. The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) was told to protect the water supply infrastructure, deploy water tankers, and ensure 24/7 backup power for pumping stations.
The Revenue Department was asked to activate District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs), identify and prepare emergency shelters, and ready Civil Defense Volunteers (CDVs) for immediate deployment. Coordination with the armed forces, railways, and airport authorities was stressed for swift response during crises.
The Home and Police Departments were tasked with ensuring 24×7 security of critical infrastructure and maintaining the integrity of essential service supply chains. They were also told to prepare for the implementation of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) where necessary.
The Food and Civil Supplies Department was directed to monitor ration shop stocks, fuel reserves, and keep the food supply chain functional. Departments such as PWD, MCD, and NDMC were instructed to keep emergency contractors on standby and prepare machinery for evacuation and infrastructure repair.
The DTC and DMRC were told to finalize emergency evacuation plans, including SOPs, route maps, and fleet logistics. Schools and college campuses under the Education Department are to be prepared as temporary shelters in coordination with DDMAs for food, medical aid, and sanitation.
The Delhi Fire Department was directed to remain on high alert and coordinate with the Police and Revenue Departments for swift relief in case of fires, explosions, or structural damage. The Labor Department was tasked with ensuring the safety and support of the informal sector and migrant workers, including temporary employment, ration distribution, and health services in relief camps.
