Scarred by accusations of poor management of public works, the Delhi government has laid down a blanket ban on digging of roads after August 20.

Delhi's Urban Development Minister Dr. A.K. Walia expressed his concern over on going road-digging in the city, and has directed his department to issue strict instructions of a ban on road cutting from 20th August.

Underlining the need of a clean and longer lasting infrastructure, Walia has also instructed the MCD and Delhi Police to strictly enforce the provisions of the Delhi Defacement Act. The Act envisages stringent action including hefty fine and imprisonment. He further directed the enforcement agencies to ensure that no poster, banner and wall writing should be visible in the city. 

In certain areas road cutting, majorily done by DISCOMs, MTNL and ECIL to accomplish their works, is still being undertaken even after completion of work. And it is resulting in damage to footpath and roads.

Walia said, "rampant road cutting will not only damage image of the city but also prove to be harmful to recently developed infrastructure in the city".

The Commonwealth Games will be around 40 days away from August 20, therefore, no further permission will be granted for any road cutting, Walia added.