The Delhi government has initiated the collection of essential data to formulate a comprehensive plan for the development of unauthorized colonies across the city. Officials have started gathering reports from various concerned agencies, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and Public Works Department, focusing on critical parameters such as the status of solid waste management, condition of roads, nature of borewells, and condition of sewer systems.
The multiplicity of agencies has long been identified as a major obstacle in carrying out development works and assigning responsibilities effectively. To address this challenge, these agencies have been instructed to furnish data of unauthorized colonies within their respective jurisdictions, categorized by Vidhan Sabha constituencies.
With over 30% of Delhi’s population residing in illegal colonies, the government aims to regularize and redevelop a significant portion of these settlements. Out of a total of 1,797 such colonies recorded in government records, excluding 66 affluent areas, 1,731 have been earmarked for regularization and redevelopment.
The data collected will include information on sewer lines management, legal and illegal borewells, and waste management processes. This comprehensive dataset will enable the government to plan redevelopment initiatives more effectively, focusing primarily on sanitation and water management in these colonies.
The initiative comes after recent observations by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena regarding the unsanitary conditions in areas such as Sangam Vihar, prompting Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to direct the Chief Secretary to address these issues urgently.
Over the past nine years, the Delhi government has already made significant investments in improving infrastructure within unauthorized colonies, including road networks, piped water supply, and sewer lines. With nearly Rs 5,000 crore spent in this regard, approximately 4,000 km of roads and streets have been re-laid, along with the installation of over 2,484 km of water lines and 2,091 km of sewer lines.
Looking ahead, the government has allocated more than Rs 900 crore for the upcoming financial year, aiming to further upgrade and develop a majority of unauthorized colonies by 2024-25.
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