Capital ‘unveiled’ all over again

With the sword of the model code of conduct hanging over their heads, Delhi’s municipal councillors on Sunday went on an overdrive to woo voters, inaugurating whatever ‘project’ they could lay their hands on.

With the sword of the model code of conduct hanging over their heads, Delhi’s municipal councillors on Sunday went on an overdrive to woo voters, inaugurating whatever ‘project’ they could lay their hands on.

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After exhausting their quota of ‘big projects’, the councillors were seen inaugurating akharas, freshly painted grills in parks, drainage facilities and even non-functional toilet blocks converted into chaupals.

Malti Verma, a BJP councillor from Naraina, laid open an akhara redeveloped at Rs 4 lakh and dedicated it to the local wrestlers. She even converted around six non-functional toilet blocks into a chaupal. The cost: Rs 43 lakh.

According to sources, close to 200 inauguration functions were held a day before the model code kicks in. Mahender Nagpal, a councillor from Wazirpur in north Delhi, had already inaugurated some big projects two days ago.

On Sunday, he got busy unveiling grills painted in MCD parks (Rs 1.5 lakh) and the construction of a drainage facility in Keshavpuram (Rs 10 lakh).

In south Delhi, MCD’s works committee chairman Jagdish Mamgain ‘officially’ laid open a bridge, which costs Rs 2 crore, at Sewa Nagar that has been functional for the past four months.

Many councilors spent the day taking part in road and street naming ceremonies.