20-day mega cleanliness drive begins in Delhi today

A massive 20-day cleanliness campaign will begin across Delhi from May 2, with the Rekha Gupta-led government pledging to rid the capital of garbage, dust, debris and encroachments.

Announcing this at a press conference held at the Delhi Secretariat, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta described the drive as a decisive step towards transforming Delhi into a clean, green and aesthetically vibrant city.

The campaign will see senior officials from all relevant departments, including the MCD, Revenue Department, Delhi Police and DMs, deployed on the ground. Each Deputy Commissioner has been tasked with overseeing sanitation in its respective zones, with daily inspections and reporting made mandatory. Every district will also identify and develop one “model area” as an example of what a clean and well-maintained locality should look like.

CM Gupta said under the triple-engine model of governance, bringing together the Delhi Government, MCD and the Centre, departments had been instructed to work in complete synchronisation.

“We don’t want Delhi to be just the national capital. We want it to be the cleanest and most beautiful city in the country,” she said. “This isn’t just another campaign, it’s the beginning of a historic shift in how Delhi is governed.”

Strict enforcement measures have also been outlined. Illegal dumping of waste and debris will attract heavy penalties, while any lapses in cleanliness will result in direct accountability for officials. Public places, especially parks, markets, roads and footpaths, must be cleared of garbage, dust and encroachment. Defacement of public property through posters and banners will be met with legal action and fines.

Efforts will also focus on long-term solutions. Garbage trucks will now operate on fixed schedules and remain covered. Road medians will be beautified with organised horticulture, while public toilets, drains and sewers will undergo comprehensive cleaning. The PWD and MCD have been directed to clear all drains in preparation for the monsoon.

The campaign includes the implementation of segregated waste collection at the street level. Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) will be engaged to promote proper waste management and public cooperation. Single-use plastics will be banned in markets, religious places, educational institutions, and public venues.

The Chief Minister said the government was not constrained by funds. “The MCD will receive all financial support. We are committed to making this campaign a success,” she said. Walls across the city will be whitewashed or painted artistically, overgrown trees will be pruned and streetlights and CCTV cameras will be made fully functional to ensure public safety and urban improvement.

This aggressive sanitation campaign is expected to lay the foundation for a “Viksit Delhi”, an advanced, clean and citizen-friendly Capital. “The days of debris piles, broken statues or religious waste being dumped in canals are over. The dream of a Viksit Delhi is now beginning and it starts with a clean and beautiful Capital,” the CM said.