‘Do we have the funds?’: Money an obstacle in cleaning Delhi, says MCD commissioner

Noting that there were several complaints regarding poor sanitation, lack of garbage collectors and absence of bins, Kumar said: “Even if I promise you that all those bins will be installed, do we have the funds? We need to look into it... How will we pay the gardeners?”

Written by Drishti Jain

New Delhi | Updated: August 21, 2025 12:04 PM IST

A total of seventeen proposals were passed at the meeting that included using MCD’s vacant community centres and underutilised community halls for training and skill development purposes.

Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Commissioner Ashwani Kumar, during a Standing Committee meeting on Wednesday, said that even as the civic body is taking multiple steps to clean the Capital, a “lack of funds” was acting as an obstacle.

The commissioner also acknowledged that the tender of three zones — Central, South and West — had expired a long time back, with a fresh concessionaire having been hired for a period of six months in the Central zone. “We had to go for a short tender because for the long one, the process would have taken a lot of time. We are doing whatever best can be done. However, the situation is not alarming if we consider the amount of garbage being lifted,” he said, adding: “If we pay Rs 70 crore against their demand of Rs 90 crore, the concessionaires won’t work.”

At Wednesday’s meeting, issues of “poor” maintenance of public urinals, waterlogging, “dilapidated” conditions of parks and accidents led by cows, among others, were raised.

Chairperson Satya Sharma said, “Private concessionaires showing negligence in garbage management must face action and penalty should be imposed under contractual provisions. Timely collection of waste from all areas must be ensured.”

Leader of Opposition and AAP councillor Ankush Narang, meanwhile, said that a zone-wise committee should be formed that will deal with the issue of stray dogs following the recent Supreme Court verdict on their relocation to shelters.

A total of seventeen proposals were passed at the meeting that included using MCD’s vacant community centres and underutilised community halls for training and skill development purposes.

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According to the civic body, out of a total of 278 functional properties, 122 are either vacant or underutilised across various zones that can be utilised by institutions, agencies or NGOs for activities which are part of government schemes or CSR initiatives funded by PSUs. However the ownership of these spaces will remain with the MCD.

During the meeting a heated argument also ensued between BJP councillor Pankaj Luthra and Deputy Commissioner (Shahdara South Zone) Badal Kumar.

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