MCD's to-do list just as big as BJP's win

After the BJP swept the municipal polls with 181 seats on Wednesday, it will be the party's third stint in power across the three corporations — North, South, and East.

However, the responsibility to put up a 'good show' at the work front seems to be just as big as the win.

The party, which largely won on the Modi-wave and anti-AAP votes, had reeled under severe anti-incumbency in it's last term. This was mainly because of no substantial work being done by it in its decade-long rule, and alleged corruption while offering no solutions to problems at the local level. The issue was also aggravated by the fact that the North and East Corporations remained cash-strapped after the trifurcation in 2012, which became a large excuse for not focusing on development work. The anti-incumbency factor escalated problems so much that it prompted the party to field all new candidates this time.

Now that the party is back in power, it needs to fix a large number of things in the city to keep up it's agenda.

BJP’S AGENDA SHOULD INCLUDE:

Waste Management

Delhi produces over 9000 metric tonnes of waste every day. While the city has fallen short of landfill sites space, the Corporation had to come up with modern means of doing away with waste.

Control of vector-borne diseases

The last two years saw massive outbreak of dengue and chikungunya, reaching almost epidemic proportions, the civic bodies were unprepared to deal with the situation. They need to step up prevention besides preparing well for tackling the cases.

Providing solutions for parking

The city lacks parking space in colonies and market places. While the Corporations have build a number of multi-level and surface parking lots with some more to come up in projects pending, but these facilities remain largely under-utilised and non-functional,not helping the problem.

Building public toilets

Under the PM's pet project — Swachh Bharat Mission — the Corporations had the biggest role to play. They still have to come up with enough toilet blocks for women and those in public places,markets, slum clusters and unauthorised colonies.

Improving quality and infrastructure in schools:

There are over 1500 MCD-run schools in the city which lack proper infrastructure such as desks, playgrounds and functional toilets. Besides the quality of education imparted needs to be largely upgraded.

Improving infrastructure and availability of medicines in hospitals:

The three Corporations have some of the city's biggest hospitals and primary centers under it. North MCD alone has six major hospitals under it. The facilities need upgraded machines, more doctors and increase in supply of medicines.

Cleaning storm water drains:

Every monsoon, the city has knee-deep water and overflowing sewers on the streets. The Corporation is responsible for cleaning the residential storm water drains regularly to provide relief to people.

Removed encroachments

Most of the public places falling under the civic jurisdiction are marred with encroachment by squatters, vendors and make shift car repair workshops. People need their right to walking on the pavements and roadsides back.

Stop illegal Constructions

The civic body which is the approving authority for construction activity in the city has not been able to curbs hundreds of unauthorized construction in both residential and commercial areas leading to unplanned growth, congestion and fears of the structure coming apart endangering human lives and property.

Control stray animals menace

The issue of controlling stray population and dog bites has been a major concern for years. The civic body needs to conduct a census of stray animals,build more sterilization centres and appoint more staff to deal with the mess.