Ghaziabad: Rakesh Kumar Singh, the new district magistrate of Ghaziabad who assumed charge on Saturday, said he would focus on strengthening paediatric and neonatal units in the city’s hospitals to tackle the third wave of Covid, when more children are expected to be affected.
From farmers’ protests at UP Gate to pollution in the city and traffic on roads to Rapid Rail, Singh said he would take up all issues that affected the residents.
“The Covid situation seems to be ebbing.
But there is no reason to lower our guard.
Since there are assumptions that the third wave is most likely to affect children, we must use this time to make preparations,” said Singh.
“By preparations, I mean focusing on Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICU) and Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU), which will have to be made more robust.
This apart, infrastructure in health centres will also need to be strengthened.
All these assessments would be made after a meeting with the officials,” he added.
The new DM said he would hold talks with the protesting farmers if needed.
“The issue is being handled by the central government.
But since the protest is taking place at the Ghaziabad border, we have to ensure law and order is maintained.
If required, I am willing to hold talks with the farmers.” “There are also a number of projects, such as RRTS, that are going on in Ghaziabad.
Since, it is one of the most prestigious projects for us, we will ensure all impediments are removed from our side,” he added.
Singh is not new to Ghaziabad.
“I was the city magistrate in Ghaziabad about 15 years ago.
In 2015, I served as the municipal commissioner for a few months.
Since then, the city has undergone a lot of change.
From past experiences, I can say that pollution and traffic jams are two key issues that need to be dealt with strictly,” said Singh.
Originally from Ayodhya, Singh joined as a PCS officer in 1994 and was promoted as an IAS in 2010.
Apart from Ghaziabad, he has served as the vice-chairperson of the Hapur-Pilkhuwa Development Authority and as the additional CEO of the Yamuna Expressway Authority.
Singh had been the Moradabad district magistrate for the past four years..