Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma Launches Helpline 1908 for PWD Issues
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Synopsis
Delhi's PWD Minister Parvesh Verma has announced a new helpline number 1908 for public complaints regarding PWD roads after taking disciplinary action against negligent engineers. Complaints about water quality can still be reported at 1916, aiming to improve public service accountability.
Key Takeaways
- New helpline 1908 introduced for PWD complaints.
- Complaints about dirty water can be reported at 1916.
- Accountability emphasized for public officials.
- Helpline simplified from a 10-digit to a 4-digit number.
- Inspection revealed negligence among engineers.
New Delhi, March 22 (NationPress) Following the suspension of an ineffective engineer, Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Verma on Saturday proposed the transfer of a Delhi Jal Board engineer and introduced a four-digit helpline -- 1908 -- to address public complaints regarding PWD roads.
He also informed residents that complaints concerning contaminated water or obstructed sewage can be reported through helpline 1916.
In response to the actions taken against negligent officials, he stated that the BJP government aims to collaborate with the current team of officials, yet they will be held accountable if they do not fulfill their duties towards public welfare.
“The official whose transfer I recommended today during the inspection had the odor of alcohol during my early morning inspection,” he mentioned.
Expanding on the rationale for replacing the lengthy 10-digit PWD helpline with a more concise four-digit number, he shared in a post on X, “A month ago, during my initial meeting with the PWD department, I inquired about the helpline number. Not a single one of the 20 senior officers could provide me with the number; they had to search through files to discover that it was 1800110093.
He criticized the former AAP government for choosing an unwieldy 10-digit helpline that was difficult for residents to remember.
The Minister stated that he contacted the Government of India to secure a four-digit helpline number, which resulted in 1908 being designated for PWD in Delhi.
Verma challenged AAP leader Atishi for allegedly accusing him of pressuring officials. “Our aim is to serve the public, and her claims hold no weight,” he asserted during an inspection.
The Minister toured the Tri Nagar and Madipur constituencies in the morning, instructing officials to procure one “super sucker” machine for sewer cleaning in each area. “Currently, the Delhi Jal Board has a limited supply of such machines,” he remarked.
Earlier on Friday, the minister urged officials to promptly address complaints raised by all legislators.
He also suspended an executive engineer in East Delhi after discovering negligence in the upkeep of a drainage line and roads in Patparganj along the NH9 service lane.
