Traffic grinds to a halt as tussle between Delhi govt and LG Najeeb Jung continues

The Delhi government's plan to curb traffic congestion and build infrastructure in the capital has been stalled as 400 files from various Delhi government departments are now pending with Lieutenant-Governor (LG) Najeeb Jung. Jung had asked the government to stop work on this in August. The LG has the authority do this as a Delhi High Court order declared him the 'administrative head' of the national capital on August 4.

The key plans for upgrading the capital's road infrastructure have been put on hold even as lakhs of commuters suffer every day. The state government had decided to set up a Road Redesigning Cell under the Public Works Department (PWD) for redesigning 11 arterial roads, which link one end of the city to the other. However, the plan is pending approval from Jung.

Jung had sought the 400 files towards the end of August to check for 'infirmities and irregularities.' He then sent them to be examined by a three-member committee set up in August, comprising former CAG VK Shunglu, former Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami, and former Chief Vigilance Commissioner Pradeep Kumar. Jung said that the government did not seek his approval on the files.

The proposed Road Redesigning Cell focuses on the city's lifeline, including Ring Road (from Dhaula Kuan to Wazirpur) and crucial stretches including AIIMS to Ashram Chowk, Vikas Marg, BRT Corridor, Naraina Road, Moti-Bagh to Wazirpur (18 km) Trans-Yamuna (from Wazirpur to Rithala metro station), Janakpuri to Sarai Kale Khan and Britannia Chowk to West Enclave, among others. These stretches were to be redeveloped according to standards prescribed under the UTTIPEC and as per guidelines set by the urban development ministry.

Officials said the government's plans for these stretches includes lanes for non-motorised vehicles (NMVs), cycle tracks, greenery, pedestrian-friendly footpaths, toilets, kiosks, CCTVs and well-lit bus stops.

"No real work has taken place in the city since 2011. In the years that followed, no new schemes or major projects were announced or taken up. The Delhi government has been a mess all through this year as well. Files pertaining to transfers of even four-grade employees have been sought by the LG. As a result, no major work has been done," said a senior government official.

In other departments, the government's decision to set up a creative team in the PWD by hiring private consultants, including architects, urban designers and experts, for making concept buildings to house public utilities, has not seen the light of day.

"Most of these stretches are wearing out with potholes and unpaved stretches, leading to accidents. All these roads, besides basic repair, require streetscaping. The consultants have submitted the designs, but the file has not come back to us yet. Each file is under scrutiny," added another senior official from the concerned department.

In the education sector, officials say big-ticket fellowships like 'Changemakers for Education' and 'Chief Minister's Urban Leadership Fellows (CMULF)', providing opportunities to young leaders, have not come back to the respective departments.

On August 30, the LG had asked for over 400 files from the government, saying a number of them violated rules. "After a preliminary scrutiny of these files, we discovered that over the last one-and-a-half years, several decisions taken were in violation of acts/rules with attendant legal and financial implications. It has become necessary to examine them thoroughly and suggest forward action. The committee has been constituted," the LG's office said in a statement.

Deputy CM Manish Sisodia said, "The LG must dissolve the panel and return all the files immediately to ensure development work resumes."