Political uncertainty and imposition of President’s Rule may affect mega projects initiated by the Sheila Dikshit-Government in the national Capital. The reason being cited for delay is that bureaucracy may not venture in projects that were conceived with the elections in mind. Projects worth over Rs 4,500 crore, which were set into motion by the Congress Government, are set to lose crucial momentum because the city does not have a Government even after the elections. The several dozen projects, which are at either conceptual stage or awaiting consultant appointment, are held up.
Top sources told The Pioneer that President’s Rule is imminent in Delhi and these projects are likely to be held up. These projects are critical for the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Transport sector.
“According to the NCT Delhi Act, the Minister is the Head of the Department and in the absence of Ministers there will be shifting of responsibility. Most of the bureaucrats will not sign the files of big projects and evade responsibility as they are answerable in case any RTI application comes up. Delay in projects is bound to happen,” says SK Sharma, former Director of lok Sabha Secretariat. Sharma had also served as the Secretary of the Delhi legislative Assembly.
“There are many projects where the Cabinet has to take a decision. Works on some of the projects have already begun, but in the absence of a proper Government sanctioning of funds for smaller components of the projects will be a problem and bureaucrats, most likely, prefer to shift the responsibility,” Sharma added.
When asked, Chief Secretary DM Spolia also expressed apprehension saying projects may get delayed as they have only one and a half months left to complete all formalities. “The Model Code of Conduct is likely to be implemented by the end of February. This will delay the project,” Spolia said.
PWD Chief Engineer Sarvagaya Srivastava, who is handling a Rs 2,400-crore project — making Vikaspuri-Wazirabad stretch signal-free, said that it depends on the Head of the Departments. “If they take interest, the project will not be delayed. If they don’t, it will be delayed,” Srivastava said. Work on the major infrastructure project, including construction of seven flyovers and elevated roads at an estimated cost of Rs 2,400 crore, has already begun. However, there are doubts that the project may get delayed due to budget crunch.
The monorail project (connecting Shastri Park and Trilokpuri), considered a dream project of the Sheila Dikshit-Government, will get delayed as the Finance Department has already opined that Rs 2,200 crore-project is not feasible and it would be waste of money.
Sources said that some projects are pending with the UTTIPEC — a body of engineering experts under the lieutenant Governor — for discussion, while in some cases, the PWD is in the process of appointing consultants. “The political class used to decide the priority of the projects. Now, the bureaucracy will do the same,” said a PWD official.