Delhi Govt to expedite developmental works in unauthorised colonies

New Delhi, June 29 (UNI) Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today reiterated the commitment of her Government to provide all civic amenities, including sewerage, in all those 1520 unauthorised colonies which are likely to be authorized very soon by issue of a notification of Union Ministry of Urban Development.

Chairing the first meeting of the Board for Development of Unauthorized Colonies, Ms Dikshit said her Government would definitely find ways and means to expedite developmental works and remove bottlenecks simultaneously, giving due regard to various observations of the courts.

MLAs present in the meeting as special invitees, cutting across party lines, forcefully demanded implementation of 1977 policy of regularization, which had given relief to the residents. The policy was finalised on intervention of late Indira Gandhi to safeguard interest of those families in Delhi who were forced to settle in unauthorised colonies because of non-availability of adequate number of dwelling units in the Capital.

Speaking at the meeting, attended by Vice-Chairman of the Board and UD Minister A K Walia, Chief Secretary Ramesh Narayanswami, Pr Secretaries, other official members and 15 MLAs including Leader of the Opposition Prof Jagdish Mukhi, the Chief Minister called upon MLAs to present their suggestions and priorities relating to execution of developmental works in these colonies, assuring that all the suggestions would get due consideration and would be forwarded to the Union Urban Development Ministry for taking into account before issue of a notification of regularisation of unauthorized colonies which is expected very soon.

Announcing that developmental works in 525 unauthorized colonies would be completed very soon, she said that laying of sewer lines should also be included in developmental works being undertaken in these colonies.

It may be recalled that Government has constituted a special fund for development of unauthorised colonies with an outlay Rs.2800 crore in the 11th Five Year Plan 2007-2012 to meet expenditure on provision of water supply, sewerage, roads, drains, sanitation, community and miscellaneous services subject to orders of the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court.

UNI