The NDMC increased sanitation deployment across protest-hit parts of central Delhi after waste levels spiked. Officials said the clean-up also addresses damage to public spaces and mounting civic complaints.
Waste collection had gone above normal levels around Mandi House, Jantar Mantar, Janpath and Connaught Place since October 7, leading to additional sanitation measures.
New Delhi,Oct 13, 2026 20:36 IST
The New Delhi Municipal Council has increased sanitation staff deployment by 50 per cent in parts of central Delhi affected by recent protests, officials said on Tuesday. The move comes as daily waste collection in these areas crossed 300 metric tonnes during the protest period.
According to officials, the rise in waste and the need for extra cleaning followed days of heightened security in the capital, with barricades and heavy police presence across central Delhi ahead of the October 10 protest at Jantar Mantar demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
An official statement said waste collection had gone above normal levels around Mandi House, Jantar Mantar, Janpath and Connaught Place since October 7, leading to additional sanitation measures.
A special cleanliness drive was carried out around Mandi House early Tuesday, including stretches outside the Nepalese and Iranian embassies.
"More than 300 metric tonnes of waste was collected daily during the protests," NDMC Vice-Chairperson Kuljeet Singh Chahal said. The NDMC also reported damage to green belts, trees, plants and footpaths at several locations, along with vandalism of some public toilets.
It said discarded food packets, rotis and other food items were found at the sites, while posters pasted on public surfaces affected the appearance of the areas.
Officials said the damage to public infrastructure would need additional resources for repairs and maintenance, along with extra effort to clear the accumulated waste.
Chahal, who joined the cleanliness drive with council member Anil Valmiki, health department officials and sanitation workers, said people had complained about waste and unclean surroundings. He also appealed to people to use designated waste disposal points and not damage public property.
In summary, the NDMC stepped up sanitation work in protest-hit parts of central Delhi after waste levels rose sharply and public infrastructure was damaged, with officials also urging people to dispose of waste properly and avoid vandalism.
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