Delhi Government Establishes High-Powered Committee for Centrally Funded Infrastructure Projects

The Delhi government has directed all departments to draft concept papers and estimates to secure capital funds from the Centre for infrastructure projects and schemes announced in the budget. A high-powered committee has been established to oversee their execution, officials stated on Wednesday. Several new schemes and projects, involving the PWD, Delhi Jal Board, and public transport, are included in the 2025-26 budget estimates with specific central funding earmarked.

Other schemes are also being considered for central funding. The Planning department will act as the nodal agency for these projects and schemes. Departments are required to submit proposals, including concept papers and preliminary estimates, to the Planning department. A senior government officer mentioned that the Planning department will review these submissions before presenting them to a high-powered technical committee.

High-Powered Committee's Role

The high-powered committee, led by the chief secretary, will comprise heads of all departments. After approval from the chief minister, who also holds the Planning portfolio, selected projects will be forwarded to the relevant Union Ministry for funding consideration. Proposals will include a brief description of the project, objectives, technical details, sub-components, preliminary costs, proposed agency, and timeline.

This nine-member committee includes additional chief secretaries from planning, PWD, and finance among others. It will prioritise schemes and projects based on the government's financial health and assess them in terms of optimal target beneficiaries. The committee will also evaluate existing arrangements and conduct gap analysis for implementing new schemes and projects.

Approval and Monitoring Process

The committee is responsible for granting administrative approval to concept papers and detailed project reports before submission to the ministry. Additionally, it will periodically review approved schemes and projects from the Centre to monitor cost overruns and revised cost estimates. This ensures that projects remain within budgetary constraints while meeting their objectives.

By establishing this structured approach, the Delhi government aims to streamline the process of securing central funds for crucial infrastructure developments. This initiative is expected to enhance efficiency in executing projects that significantly impact public welfare across various sectors in Delhi.