Road repair stopped during elections

Officials of the Delhi government are planning to restart projects and schemes that were halted or delayed due to imposition of the model code of conduct in the city for the parliamentary elections. 

As the model code has been called off after April 10, the Delhi Chief Secretary plans to meet the Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi Vijay Dev to discuss starting certain works.The Election Commission has also ordered review of the implementation of ongoing projects in states where polls are over.

“I met the CEO and will hold meetings in the coming days. Certain works have to be done immediately, like the summer action plan for water and power, works related to Public Works Department like renovation and repairing of roads, flood and irrigation related works and others. As the elections are over, we will try to start these projects soon,” Chief Secretary Sanjay Kumar Srivastava said.

The Delhi government’s various projects including construction of 11-km Monorail track from Shastri Park to Trilokpuri, construction of Signature Bridge in Wazirabad and other projects are likely to be restarted soon. 

The former Sheila Dikshit government’s ambitious project of construction of signal-free Outer Ring Road from Vikaspuri to Wazirabad and urban extension are also likely to be restarted.

“We will seek permission from the election office for initiating works that don’t have a major effect in the city,” Srivastava added. 

However, about the Annashree Yojana, the direct cash transfer food subsidy scheme of the Delhi government, he said, “I will have to check with the department concerned about this.”

Sources said the government’s account balance for the Annashree Yojana will end in a month.

“The LG has to take a call on any financial scheme. At this point of time, we cannot assure what will be the fate of Annashree Yojana,” a senior Delhi government officer said.

Under the Annashree Yojana, residents of Delhi who are below the poverty line can get Rs 600 as food subsidy per month.