NEW DELHI: Newly sworn-in Delhi ministers spent the day on Saturday doing a reality check on the ground by carrying surprise inspections and asking officials to fast-track projects that have been delayed or are stuck.
PWD minister Parvesh Verma undertook an extensive review of projects in and around Mathura Road and Ring Road, zeroing in on the work on Barapullah flyover’s extension, which has got inordinately delayed.
“I was told that no minister had visited the project for a decade and no one even cared to get it completed even as the city is grappling with traffic jams,” he said, adding that all this only made the city air more polluted.
“If you delay a project, it also leads to cost escalation. The AAP govt didn’t care about these things. I have asked for details of whatever clearances they need, and I will personally ensure that there are no further hindrances,” he said. “The road will be opened to the public in the next 12 months. Money is not an issue.”
Ensure timely completion of works: Verma
Explaining what plagues Delhi roads, Verma said these were repeatedly dug up by various agencies for laying underground cables or for other work. “This is not the way to operate. We will have a nodal agency that will ensure all underground work is completed before a road is constructed so that the taxpayers’ money is not wasted,” Verma said. He emphasised the need for better coordination to prevent wastage of funds.
Verma also reviewed the progress in construction of the Bhairon Marg underpass, part of the Pragati Maidan tunnel, and the Sarai Kale Khan stretch. He directed officials to ensure timely completion of all work. Emphasising the importance of quality construction, he said, “We should build a road that lasts for 10-15 years. Though the official lifespan is five years, the quality should be such that it remains in good condition for at least 10-15 years.”
He also inspected the Moolchand underpass, which has in the past witnessed severe waterlogging. To address this long-standing issue, he reviewed the upgradation of facilities with Japanese pumps being installed to make the drainage more effective.
“I have directed officials to take all necessary measures before the rainy season to ensure that water does not accumulate. Proper drainage systems should be created and maintained, and pumps should be installed in time,” he said.
Verma said these efforts were in line with PM Modi’s vision of a cleaner, greener and more developed Delhi. “We are committed to transforming Delhi into a world-class city with better roads, effective drainage systems and overall beautification,” he added.
Education minister Ashish Sood visited Janakpuri and expressed his dismay over the accumulation of garbage. “It has been lying scattered over a 1km stretch over the past two and a half years. This is unacceptable. People are hassled about AAP councillors. We are committed to cleaning this up,” he said.
Health minister Pankaj Kumar Singh visited Rao Tula Ram Memorial Hospital in Jaffarpur Kalan along with BJP MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat. “The conditions here are quite bad. There is a lack of doctors. A building that should have been made before 2020 is incomplete. We have decided with Sehrawat that in 3 months, we will transform this hospital,” he said. “We will come back here after three months to show you how well this hospital is functioning.”
On the mohalla clinics, he said: “There are many clinics that do not have doctors or medicines. They were leased out by MLAs in the name of clinics. If these complaints are true, the matter will be investigated,” he said.
