New Delhi, Dec 1 (IANS) The government has strictly instructed civic authorities to cover all manholes and improve civic amenities in the capital ahead of the Commonwealth Games next year, parliament was told Tuesday.
Home Minister P. Chidambaram informed the Lok Sabha during question hour that there were about 300,000 manholes in Delhi.

“Strict instructions have been issued to the Delhi Jal Board that no manhole is left uncovered and wherever the covers are stolen they should be replaced immediately,” Chidambaram said.

He said in the last four years, eight cases of accidental death by falling into manholes have been reported in the city.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Mullappally Ramachandran said in a written reply: “The government is fully conscious of providing civic amenities, including proper roads, safe manholes, clean drains and proper electric wiring, for the benefit of the citizens.”

“In this regard, a number of steps have been taken by the government of NCT of Delhi, Municipal Corporation of Delhi and New Delhi Municipal Council to spruce up civic facilities in the National Capital Territory of Delhi before the Commonwealth Games,” he said.

Ramachandran said a direction has been given to the electricity distribution companies to make live-wires on the street light poles underground on all the major roads.

He said funds are being provided to make electric wires underground in some areas where hotels are located and where visitors of Commonwealth Games are likely to stay.

There is a plan to establish a separate round-the-clock toll free number — 1266 — to redress complaints relating to civic amenities, he added.