Unauthorised colonies in Delhi to be developed and upgraded on a war footing

New Delhi: The Delhi Government has chalked out a plan to develop and upgrade the unauthorised colonies on a war footing. Officials have been directed to complete the pending work in the next three months. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and PWD Minister will personally review the progress of work every 15 days.

Sources told CitySpidey that the government is working on a war footing to ensure proper roads and drainage systems in nearly 1800 unauthorised colonies across the capital. To further expedite the works Sisodia reviewed the ongoing work of road construction and laying drainage system in the unauthorised colonies along with the senior officials of Irrigation and Flood Control Department (I&FC) and Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC). 

They further said that of 1800 unauthorised colonies, the development work of about 1100 unauthorised colonies of Delhi is either in its final stage or has been completed. During the review meeting, Sisodia directed the officials to complete the pending work in the next three months. These development works include the construction of roads, streets and drains, to install sewer and water pipelines in these colonies. Along with this, the development work will be started soon in the remaining colonies as well.

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While reviewing the works of I&FC and DSIIDC, the Deputy Chief Minister instructed the officials to complete the developmental work of the remaining colonies on priority, which will be reviewed by him every 15 days. So far, the Delhi Government has constructed 3767 kms of streets and 5203 kms of drains in these unauthorised colonies, they added.

Sisodia said, “The Delhi Government is determined to provide basic civic infrastructure to the residents of unauthorised colonies across Delhi. Previous governments considered the unauthorised colonies as vote banks only and never paid attention to development in these residential areas after elections. Unlike other leaders who visit unauthorised colonies only during elections, the Delhi government is determined to fulfil its guarantees to develop quality civic infrastructure in these colonies.”

The Deputy Chief Minister further added that the situation in these unauthorised colonies was miserable. There were no proper drainage systems in these colonies which led to stagnation of sewage water and outbreak of diseases. Despite being in the capital of the country, these colonies either did not have roads or had unpaved roads. During the monsoon season, residents suffered due to severe water logging issues. 

He said that after the Delhi government came into power, the government took cognizance of the problems and prepared a blueprint for the development of unauthorised colonies. As a result, today these unauthorised colonies have all the basic civic infrastructure that is required by the public to lead a dignified life.

Officials said that there are about 300 unauthorised colonies, where development work could not be carried out. The various reasons stated by the officials included the unavailability of NOCs from the archeological department and Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the region being attributed as forest land, and overlapping. Along with this, officials added that some of them are already developed and have the basic civic infrastructure, or they are being developed by other agencies.