No funds: Layout plan hits obstacle

The preparation of the layout plan of unauthorised colonies in Delhi has hit a hurdle, as three municipal corporations face paucity of funds. For such plans consultants are hired to do the job, which can cost the civic bodies between Rs. 15-20 lakh.

The preparation of the layout plan of unauthorised colonies in Delhi has hit a hurdle, as three municipal corporations face paucity of funds. For such plans consultants are hired to do the job, which can cost the civic bodies between Rs. 15-20 lakh.

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According to Rajesh Gehlot, South Delhi standing committee chairperson, the costs are supposed to be borne by the Delhi government but the latter has not sanctioned any funds yet. The project which will create the layout of 895 unauthorised colonies is expected to cost Rs. 300 crore.

The three corporations are hiring Jamia Milia Islamia, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University and School of Planning and Architecture as consultants for the project.

In South Delhi Corporation, where the work has been stalled, leaders have requested the government to release the money as soon as possible.

“The Lieutenant Governor had assured us that the cost of preparing the layout plans will be paid by the Delhi government. But in spite of reminders, we have not received anything,” said Gehlot.

East and North municipal corporations had earlier started the process of regularisation by taking up five unauthorised colonies each.

“We have requested the commissioner to take up the matter because the corporations are already cash-strapped. The government must keep its part of the bargain in regularising the colonies,” said Mahek Singh, chairman of the Standing Committee of East Delhi Municipal Corporation.

A senior official of Delhi’s Urban Development department, however, said the matter of payment has not been decided yet. “Since the plans will benefit the residents, we have suggested that the resident welfare associations pay for it,” he said.

After chief minister Sheila Dikshit had declared regularisation of unauthorised colonies in the Capital in September, the three municipal corporations received boundary maps of all the 895 colonies.