Capital’s renewal stuck for approvals

The Centre may have earmarked Rs 1045 crore of the Capital’s Rs 11,842 crore allocation for developing urban infrastructure under JNNURM but the city government is not too happy, reports Moushumi Das Gupta.

The Centre may have earmarked Rs 1045 crore of the Capital’s Rs 11,842 crore allocation for developing urban infrastructure under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) but the city government is not too happy.

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It says that despite the allocation being increased almost ten times, it can’t go ahead and implement the projects as many of them are pending with the Union Urban Development Ministry for approval.

Delhi Finance Minister, Dr AK Walia, said, “The Centre has allocated Rs 1045 crore to Delhi under JNNURM. But it should also impress upon the UD Ministry to approve projects submitted by us at the earliest.”

So far, the ministry has approved two projects, including the Connaught Place (CP) Redevelopment Plan.

Speaking to HT, Union Urban Development Secretary M Ramachandran said, “Under JNNURM, every project has to be properly appraised before it is approved. This process is being followed for all the 63 cities, including Delhi, which are eligible to apply for funds under JNNURM.”

Projects submitted to the Ministry for approval include the Delhi Jal Board’s Rs 3500 crore plan to clean Yamuna and several transport projects.

Rakesh Mehta, Delhi’s Chief Secretary said, “We have asked the Planning Commission to make an exception for Delhi. Many of the projects we are undertaking under JNNURM are linked to the Commonwealth Games. If we wait for the ministry’s approval, they will get delayed.”

JNNURM is the Central government’s flagship project launched in 2005 under which Rs 50,000 crore has been granted so far for development of urban infrastructure in 63 Indian cities. Delhi is the only city which has got just two projects approved.