NEW DELHI: Delhi govt has started working on making an elaborate plan to develop unauthorised colonies in the city. It has sought reports from different departments on four parameters—status of solid waste management, condition of roads, nature of borewells and condition of sewer.
Govt has started collecting data from different agencies concerned, including Municipal Corporation of Delhi and Public Works Department, on all these parameters. After the data collection is done, a fresh push on redevelopment will be given. The first such exercise will be undertaken at Sangam Vihar.
A senior official of Delhi govt said multiplicity of agencies has been a major hurdle in both carrying the development works and fixing the responsibilities. “These agencies have been told to give data of unauthorised colonies in their jurisdiction Vidhan Sabha-wise,” he said.
According to an estimate, over 30% of Delhi’s population resides in illegal colonies. While the total number of such settlements, according to govt records, is 1,797, barring 66 affluent pockets, govt has identified 1,731 for regularisation and redevelopment.
The official explained that the agencies have to provide data on sewer lines being managed by them; legal and illegal borewells; and the method employed in collecting, treating and disposing of solid wastes. This data will help govt plan redevelopment of the unauthorised colonies in a better manner. “Sanitation and water are two fronts on which major works willbe done. When people enter these colonies, they should not be greeted with garbage and visuals of waterlogging and drainwater spread on the roads,” he said.
The agencies also have to submit the status of the development work being undertaken by them on these parameters. “One of the reasons that we see waste strewn around in unauthorised colonies is because there is deficiency in the waste collection, transportation and treatment processes,” said another official.
Lieutenant governor VK Saxena had recently flagged the unhygienic conditions at Sangam Vihar after which chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had ordered chief secretary Naresh Kumar to address the problems of the area.
Delhi govt earlier said it had managed to provide a better road network and piped water and sewer lines in unauthorised colonies. Nearly Rs 5,000 crore was spent in the past nine years, it added.
According to data provided by AAP govt, nearly 4,000 km of roads and streets have been re-laid and 2,484 km of water lines and 2,091 km of sewer lines installed in these areas.
With more than Rs 900 crore set aside, officials said a majority of unauthorised colonies would be upgraded in the 2024-25 financial year.
