NEW DELHI: Kuljeet Singh Chahal New Delhi Municipal Council’s (NDMC) Vice Chairman led a large-scale plantation drive at East Kidwai Nagar under the #EkPedMaaKeNaam_OnSunday campaign, while also interacting with residents and directing officials to address civic issues in a time-bound manner.
The event, held at GPRA Type-II, III and IV residential complexes in East Kidwai Nagar, witnessed participation from Resident Welfare Association (RWA) representatives, local residents, central government officials and NDMC staff members. The initiative was aimed at promoting environmental conservation through active public participation and strengthening community engagement.
Addressing the gathering, Chahal said the campaign had successfully completed its 28th consecutive Sunday plantation drive, reflecting NDMC’s sustained commitment towards building a greener and more environmentally conscious capital.
He highlighted that the programme has evolved into a regular public movement with plantation activities being conducted every Sunday across different areas of New Delhi. Apart from weekly drives, NDMC has also partnered with educational institutions, embassies and various organisations to expand the campaign’s reach.
Chahal expressed satisfaction over the growing participation of citizens and praised the efforts of NDMC officials and staff members for ensuring the continuity of the initiative.
He said environmental conservation can only become successful when people collectively participate and take ownership of such initiatives.
During the event, residents planted saplings in the names of their mothers, aligning with the vision behind the national campaign inspired by Prime Minister . The initiative encourages citizens to honour their mothers while simultaneously contributing to environmental protection.
Several RWA office-bearers, including President Balbir Singh Chowdhary, Vice President Manoj Pandey, Treasurer Ramesh Chowdhary, Sports and Cultural Secretary Anand Pal Singh, Security representative Gopal Bapu and member Rahul, actively participated in the plantation drive alongside local residents.
Participants appreciated the campaign, saying it creates an emotional connection between individuals and environmental responsibility. They noted that the initiative effectively encourages people to become active stakeholders in nature conservation efforts.
Speaking at the programme, Chahal said the campaign goes beyond simply planting trees and represents a broader social responsibility movement.
He said that planting a sapling serves as a tribute not only to mothers but also to Mother Nature, while contributing to a safer and healthier future for upcoming generations.
He further stressed that planting trees alone is insufficient without ensuring their survival. Citizens, he said, should take responsibility for watering, protecting and nurturing the saplings until they mature into full-grown trees.
As temperatures continue to remain high during summer, Chahal also appealed to residents to keep bowls of water for birds in balconies, parks, homes and public spaces.
He said environmental protection extends beyond preserving trees and includes caring for all living beings that form part of the ecosystem.
The NDMC Vice Chairman also announced that the council has prepared a year-long Green Calendar to organise plantation drives every Sunday throughout different locations in New Delhi.
Under the initiative, various civic departments, including horticulture, health, sanitation, civil engineering, roads, water supply, drainage and electricity, will work in coordination to ensure proper maintenance and growth of newly planted saplings.
Apart from environmental activities, the programme also served as a platform for addressing public grievances.
Before the plantation drive commenced, local residents and RWA representatives raised concerns regarding water supply issues, shortage of horticulture staff and several other civic challenges affecting the locality.
Chahal held on-the-spot discussions with heads of concerned departments and directed officials to take immediate corrective action. He assured residents that their concerns would be resolved within specified timelines.
The move was appreciated by attendees, who described such public interaction programmes as an effective mechanism for bridging the gap between civic authorities and citizens.
Chahal said responsive governance and direct communication with people are essential for improving urban infrastructure and ensuring better public services.
He added that these efforts contribute towards the broader national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, where sustainable development, active citizen participation and efficient governance remain central pillars of nation-building.
Senior officials from NDMC’s health, roads, drainage, water supply, civil engineering and electricity departments were also present at the event along with field staff members.
During his interaction with residents, Chahal also highlighted the developmental achievements of the past 12 years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
He said India has witnessed significant progress in infrastructure, sanitation, digital governance, environmental sustainability, women empowerment and citizen participation.
Residents attending the event also shared positive feedback regarding various welfare initiatives undertaken by the government over the years. Many said that government schemes have benefited diverse sections of society and improved service delivery mechanisms across the country.
The plantation drive reflected NDMC’s broader vision of building a cleaner, greener and more sustainable New Delhi through collective action and environmental awareness.
By combining civic engagement with environmental conservation, the council aims to transform green initiatives into long-term public movements that encourage citizens to actively participate in shaping the future of urban India.
