'Irrigation dept may look after civic projects in unauthorised colonies'

Delhi Urban Development Minister Satyendar Jain on Wednesday said the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government plans to carry out development works in unauthorised colonies in the Capital through the Flood and Irrigation Department.

Replying to a question in the Assembly, Jain said at present, only, the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC) carries out civic projects in unauthorised colonies across the city.

"The government has made a plan to allow the Flood and Irrigation department to look after development works in around 1,700 unauthorised colonies along with the DSIIDC," Jain told the House during Question Hour.

The reply comes after some MLAs complained that there has been delay in executing development works in unauthorised colonies in their respective constituencies.

During the discussion, some legislators complained that development works, such as construction of new streets and drains in unauthorised colonies were being delayed as a single agency, i.e. DSIIDC, was the only authority for all such work.

Jain also subtly slammed the central government over the delay in regularisation of unauthorised colonies in the national Capital.

On several occasion, the Centre has been asked by the Delhi High Court to take an "in-principle decision" on the Delhi government's proposal to regularise unauthorised colonies, including the posh Sainik Farms in New Delhi area.

"Development works are being delayed because the Centre is not regularising the unauthorised colonies. The Opposition here, especially (BJP MLA) Jagdish Pradhan – who said that 99 per cent colonies of his constituency are unauthorised – should pressurise the central government to regularise these colonies," Jain said.

Jain also told the House that the AAP government was "very seriously" working for the development of unauthorised colonies and had allocated a budget of Rs 900 crore for this purpose.

"Next year, we aim to further increase the budget for the development of unauthorised colonies," Jain said.