Reality Check: What Delhi Needs And What It Got

The Arvind Kejriwal-led government, on February 14, marked its third anniversary in the national capital. On the occasion, Delhi chief minister announced several new benefits for the citizens of the national capital.

The CM announced massive investment for the development of roads and drainage systems in the unauthorised colonies, the coming of 900 Mohalla Clinics and free travel for senior citizens in all Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses. Kejriwal also said that he will fulfill his promise of free Wi-Fi across the city soon.

However, the city, which has dual government to lead, multiple authorities to administer and ample stock of land parcel to develop, the metropolis still scores low in terms of quality of life, housing and infrastructural abilities. Even though the booming economy of Delhi has made it attractive for people to migrate to the city in search of livelihood and prosperous life but has Delhi been able to satisfy the needs? 

PropGuide comes up with the fact sheet on what has changed since AAP government take over and what remained as it is:

Housing

Unauthorised construction, unplanned housing, uncontrolled land usage- these are some of the biggest concerns of the national capital. In fact, regularisation of illegal colonies had been a poll promise during Delhi elections and almost all political parties competing for seats had promised a change in the scenario. Out of 1600, over 895 colonies were regularised by 2012. However, little has been done for upgrading the basic facilities and amenities in these areas. These localities hold a legal tender on papers but the development remains stuck due to red-tapism at various levels in the Urban Development Ministry as well as at state level. The only benefit that these areas have is that now these properties can be bought and sold legally.

In simple words, a legalised colony needs to have a water supply, sewer lines, electricity, schools and hospitals in a systematic and phased manner, right to register property.  To fulfill this, Delhi government will work on improvement of roads and drains-related works, especially in unauthorised colonies. 

While Delhi High Court has grilled state government time and again to decide on the issue of regularisation of unauthorised colonies but the blame game between the Centre and AAP-led Delhi government finds no end. Nevertheless, the state government claims that the Delhi Jal Board has laid water pipelines in a large number of unauthorised colonies in FY 2015-16. The Delhi Jal Board set the target at 300 colonies and aims to equip every house with piped water supply. Apart from this, around 220 km new sewer pipelines have been laid to provide internal sewerage facilities in 24 unauthorised colonies by March 2016.

The rehabilitation policy of the state government is facing the same plight, thanks to bureaucracy. While the policy was approved by the Delhi Cabinet in July 2016, the document was sent back by Lieutenant Governor for a few changes. What actually makes the policy stand out is its thrust that focuses on in-situ rehabilitation, using land as a resource and resorting to relocation only as an exception. It also talks about rehabilitation of the eligible slum dwellers in the same location or within a radius of five kilometres.

Though monsoon shows a depressing picture of waste management and sewerage conditions in the national capital, the ambitious plans if fulfilled might change the face of the city. The Delhi government is setting up a waste-to-energy plant with processing capacity of eight metric tonne waste per day. All the municipal corporations agreed to the plan and to supply the solid waste free of cost at the plant. It was also decided that international standards shall be followed and the government shall buy the electricity generated.

 Transport and commute

The recent hike of metro fares has already made the commute expensive in the national capital. Speculations suggest that Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses might also witness fare revision due to heavy losses incurred by the department. Despite rising population and growing needs, not a single bus has been added to the existing fleet of DTC buses. For this, the state government claims their plan is to revise the bus routes but the decision is pending whether to do a fresh study or use the report prepared by Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) back in 2010-11. DTC data shows that bus fleet has reduced in six years, from 6204 buses in 2010-11 to 4020 buses due to which ridership has also reduced. However, the Delhi government is planning to bring in air-conditioned buses, including standard floor and medium-size buses for all new projects in the city. Over 431 AC standard-floor buses will be rolled out in a phased manner by March 2018.

For last mile connectivity, the state government has already approved the fourth phase of the Delhi Metro that will take the city's transport lifeline to outer parts of the capital and boost connectivity to the airport. The 104-km network will cost Rs 55,000 crore and is expected to carry 1.5 million passengers daily. Apart from this, e-rickshaw registrations and licenses have been issued by the Delhi Government for which the subsidy has been increased to Rs 30,000 from Rs 15,000. As over 85,000 autos are already plying on Delhi roads, the arbitrary charges are a big concern for the commuters. Over 5,500 NCR auto rickshaw licenses (Delhi + Haryana) have been announced, of which over 4,000 have already been released, as per the data provided by the state government.

Overall, transportation could have been a big mess if it was not for Delhi Metro. However, the 100 per cent fare hike has left commuters with little choice than to choose DTC which has an image of poor man's service. But at the event of third anniversary of Delhi government, DTC travel has been made free for senior citizens. 

 Employment

Delhi as a national capital does not fail to impress when it comes to generating employment and jobs. However, there are few grey areas that need immediate attention to make earning a livelihood more convenient. While regularisation of contractual employees is already under process. The frequent job fairs have successfully managed to give jobs to skilled youth staying in the city. The first job summit, conceived and organised by the Delhi Labour Department, had taken place in 2015 with around 21,000 Delhi residents landing with jobs across various companies and profiles.  Apart from this, Delhi is the first state in the country to introduce changes in the law to ensure effective implementation of the Wage Board. To promote startup culture in the city, six incubation centres are being set up and funded as per the Delhi government's policy to promote entrepreneurship.

As far as social security measures are concerned, the possibility of granting paternity leave to male employees, the retirement age of 65 years, and exploring pension scheme possibilities have been suggested going beyond the mandated wage structure revision. The wage board has further recommended night shift allowance, hardship allowance, transport allowance and House Rent allowance for a different class of establishments. 

Pollution

With ever-rising pollution levels, Delhi government has been a scanner for measures taken to control the air quality. Time and again Delhi High Court has rapped environmental bodies as well as the state government for acting 'lethargic'. However, Kejriwal has announced that state would take up a study to find the exact reasons of pollution in different seasons. The government is also planning to procure a machine that will send out real-time data on pollution and its sources in the city. A massive tree plantation drive would also be taken up.