CM: Work in unauthorised colonies will speed up

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said developmental works in the national Capital will be “speeded up” and he would personally inspect them. Chief Minister’s comments came amid his unending power tussle with Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal,

“Developmental works of providing roads, drains, water and sewer in unauthorised colonies will be speeded up now. Am going today for spot inspection of works in a few colonies,” Kejriwal tweeted.

Kejriwal said his Government will sanction funds for construction of roads and drains in all unauthorised colonies of the city within 15 days. He made this announcement while inspecting civic facilities in North west Delhi’s Kirari. During his visit to unauthorised colonies, Kejriwal interacted with locals and after listening to their grievances, warned officers that they would be suspended for “shoddy” work.

“People live in hellish conditions in unauthorised colonies. To give them dignity and better life, funds will be sanctioned for roads and drains in next 15 days for ALL unauth colonies in Del. Work will start on  war footing and daily progress will be monitored (sic),” he tweeted.

The development works will be speeded up now in unauthorised colonies for providing roads, drains and sewerage, he said before embarking on the spot inspection.

Accompanied by local AAP MLA Rituraj Jha and officials, Kejriwal inspected roads and drains being constructed in Braj Vihar colony and Karan Vihar Part III in the area. When locals complained about poor quality of construction of a drain, Kejriwal ordered for quality test of bricks used in the construction of the drain.

“The CM warned the officials over the complaints of shoddy work and said it was a warning and they would be placed under suspension if it was repeated,” a Government statement read.

A woman complained about not getting ration card on which Kejriwal instructed party MLA to provide her the help she needs. Another woman complained about inadequate supply of water. Kejriwal said development of unauthorised colonies was one of the prime agenda of the AAP Government, and alleged that it was “delayed” due to the “interference” of the

Kejriwal has set up a frenetic pace in the wake of the apex court verdict on the distribution of power between Delhi Government and the Lieutenant Governor. The internecine war over the control of administration and governance of the national capital had intensified after the Supreme Court on Thursday ruled in favour of the elected city government and divested Lieutenant Governor of his independent decision-making powers.

The Delhi Government lost no time and on Friday cleared back-to-back projects that were pending awaiting the Centre’s decision. The most important “doorstep ration delivery scheme” was cleared by the Chief Minister and he declared that he had overruled all the objections and had directed the officials to start working.