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The Hindu
31-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
CM announces new measures to speed up development works
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday announced several measures aimed at fast-tracking infrastructure works in Delhi. One of the measures is to implement the Delhi Schedule of Rates (DSR), 2023 for all construction works, replacing the earlier DSR, 2016. The DSR is a document published by the Central Public Works Department containing standardised rates for various construction items and services. 'With the implementation of DSR, 2023, construction companies will be paid according to the updated rates for construction material and labour. The change is expected to attract larger companies to actively participate in development works,' the Chief Minister said. Another measure is to allow legislators to use their funds to carry out development works in their constituencies through the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. 'Earlier, projects could only be executed through the Irrigation and Flood Control Department or the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation. This often caused delays in completing smaller projects, as the two departments prioritised large-scale works,' Ms. Gupta said. She added that the Planning Department will release 50% of the total project cost in advance and the remaining 50% will be disbursed upon completion of the project. 'Payments will be made to the department or agency concerned based on the project's progress, utilisation certificates, and completion certificates,' said the Chief Minister. Vision of 'Viksit Dilli' These measures will ensure rapid execution of development works, ease the burden on implementing agencies, and provide financial relief to construction companies, steering the Capital swiftly towards the vision of a 'Viksit Dilli (Developed Delhi)', Ms. Gupta said. She remarked that slow pace of construction had impacted the city's infrastructure adversely. 'From the day we assumed office, our priority has been to revive and accelerate development works. During our review, it became evident that certain procedural changes could significantly speed up the execution of projects,' said the Chief Minister. Detailed consultations Ms. Gupta said consultations were held with senior officials, public representatives, and contractors in the infrastructure domain to identify and address issues. 'The feedback led to the formulation of new measures and amendments to existing rules governing construction projects,' she said. The announcements come a day after the Centre sanctioned a ₹821.26-crore loan to Delhi to accelerate infrastructure development across critical public service sectors, including health, education, and housing.
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Business Standard
31-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
MLAs can now use funds to carry out development works through MCD: CM Gupta
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday said the MLAs can now use their funds to carry out development works through the MCD as against the earlier norms when such projects could only be executed through the Irrigation and Flood Control Department or the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC). The chief minister said this often caused delays in completing smaller projects, as these departments prioritised larger works. With this change, minor development works will now be handled more swiftly by the Municipal Corporation, she added. The chief minister has introduced key reforms to fast-track development projects, enhance transparency and eliminate financial hurdles, and taken crucial decisions in construction-related procedures, said an official statement. Gupta said these decisions will ensure rapid execution of development works, ease the burden on implementing agencies and provide financial relief to construction companies, steering the capital swiftly towards the vision of a Developed Delhi. Highlighting the state of delayed and stalled projects over the past several years, the chief minister said that slow pace of construction had adversely impacted the city's infrastructure. From the day we assumed office, our priority has been to revive and accelerate development works. During our review, it became evident that certain procedural changes could significantly speed up project execution, she added. The new measures and amendments to existing rules governing construction projects have been formulated following extensive consultations with senior departmental officials, public representatives and construction contractors to identify bottlenecks. Gupta said the purpose of the Chief Minister's Development Fund is to meet the infrastructural needs of Delhi. A budget allocation of ₹1,400 crore has been approved for the Delhi government's Planning Department for implementation of this scheme in 202526. Any MLA requiring funds for a development project in their constituency can utilise this fund, she added. The maximum cost of a single project has been fixed at ₹10 crore. This scheme will provide a flexible and dynamic mechanism for development at the local level, the statement said. A key feature of the scheme is that administrative departments, local bodies and autonomous institutions (through their administrative secretaries) will be responsible for preparing project proposals based on the chief minister's directives. The Planning Department will release 50 per cent of the total project cost in advance, while the remaining 50 per cent will be disbursed upon completion of the work. Payments will be made to the concerned department or agency based on the project's progress, utilisation certificates and completion certificates, it said. The MLAs can undertake development works in their respective constituencies under the MLA Fund Scheme. A major change has now been introduced in the payment release process for these projects. The Urban Development Department disburses funds under this scheme. The first instalment, amounting to 10 per cent of the estimated cost, will be released to the executing agencies at the time of project approval. The second instalment, which along with the first instalment will make up 50 per cent of the tender amount, will be released upon submission of the required documents. This means that half of the project's total funds will be disbursed as soon as the work begins. The remaining 50 per cent will be released upon completion of the work in a bid to reduce delays in payments to construction companies and contractors. Gupta said the Delhi Schedule of Rates (DSR) 2023 is now being followed for all construction works, replacing the earlier DSR 2016. Although some interim modifications were made in between, they were not comprehensive. The DSR provides a detailed list of rates for various construction items, materials and labour, serving as a standard reference for cost estimation and tendering processes. It is published by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD). With the implementation of DSR 2023, contractor companies will now be paid according to the updated rates for construction materials and labour. One key advantage of this change is that it is expected to attract larger companies to actively participate in development works.
The Hindu
19-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Restoration work at Srinagar's Vachar Nag Temple begins
Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Chief Secretary Atal Dullu and Srinagar Deputy Commissioner Akshay Labroo on Saturday (July 19, 2025) initiated the restoration and rebuilding work at the historically revered Vachar Nag Temple in Srinagar. The temple was abandoned in the 1990s when Kashmiri Pandits left the Valley in the wake of rising militancy in the Kashmir valley. The Chief Secretary, while reviewing different project components at the site, directed the officers to execute the work at a fast pace, strictly adhering to the set timelines and quality standards as envisioned under the project guidelines. He emphasised that the work was aimed at restoring the temple's centuries-old past glory and preserving its cultural and architectural legacy. Mr. Dullu said the temple held significant historical, cultural and religious importance, reflecting Kashmir's diverse cultural society. He said the renovation work would revive and preserve the temple's aesthetic, heritage and social values. The public, particularly members of the Pandit community from various parts of the country, participated in the event to initiate to restoration work and sought blessings from Shri Vachar Sahab. Earlier, the Chief Secretary was apprised that the work on the project is being executed by R&B Srinagar at a cost of ₹4.58 crore, which included conservation and restoration of the main temple structure, earth filling around the temple precincts to restore the site's original topography, construction of an entry gate to provide a formal and aesthetic look, construction of a toilet block, and desilting of the egress channel up to Gilsar Lake to be undertaken by the Irrigation and Flood Control Department. 'This restoration marks an important milestone in the preservation of Kashmir's rich religious and cultural heritage, and the community looks forward to the completion of the project with great reverence,' Amit Raina, a member of the Zaara Foundation, said. The Vishwa Hindu Samaj and the Zaara Foundation welcomed the beginning of the restoration and rebuilding work at the temple. Mr. Labroo, who has identified, revived and restored scores of temples as the Deputy Commissioner of Budgam before, personally toured the Vachar Nag temple and took stock of the work. Mr. Raina described the initiative as 'a significant step to revive an important spiritual and cultural landmark'. In 2024, former Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya played a pivotal role in ensuring the start of the restoration efforts. He visited the temple site, once considered a hub of militancy in the old city of Srinagar. He had assured Hindu devotees of his commitment to support the temple's restoration. Meanwhile, Mr. Raina thanked J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for his personal interest and involvement in facilitating the grant necessary for the temple's renovation.
NDTV
16-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
To Avoid Flooding Like Last Year, Delhi Unclogs One Of 3 Major Drains
New Delhi: Authorities in Delhi have taken major steps towards reducing waterlogging in parts of the national capital. Two long-clogged water bays along the Barapulla drain, one of the three major drains in Delhi, are now flowing freely after decades-old encroachments near the Old Barapulla Bridge were cleared by the civic authorities and the police. The widening of the drain's right bank is also completed, confirmed the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, adding that silt and debris removal is currently underway. "After the removal of illegal structures, the department has taken up the widening of the Barapullah drain on the right bank and the opening of long-clogged water bays. This marks the first major intervention in decades," said Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Parvesh Verma. The development follows a large-scale encroachment removal drive carried out on June 1 by the Revenue Department, Public Works Department (PWD), Delhi Police, and other agencies. The demolition targeted the Madrasi Camp settlement, which had occupied the right bank of the Barapulla drain between the Old Barapulla Bridge and a nearby railway line. The action followed a Delhi High Court direction to authorities to remove obstructions and restore the free flow of water. The issue first surfaced during a field inspection by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena last August, when he found the Barapullah, Kushak, and Sunehri drains choked with silt. This contradicted the desilting claims made by the then AAP-led government. The Lt Governor had then pointed out that while these drains were designed to carry 24% of Delhi's stormwater load, they were operating at less than 10% capacity. He subsequently ordered round-the-clock deployment of machinery, with a particular focus on the Barapulla stretch. Officials confirmed to NDTV that more than 14 lakh metric tonnes of silt have been removed since the desilting effort began in August last year. Last year, heavy rain had caused flooding in several parts of South Delhi, South East Delhi, and New Delhi. The government believes that the restored drainage system will significantly reduce flooding this monsoon, especially in low-lying areas such as Nizamuddin and Sarai Kale Khan. Years of narrowing activities and obstructions had led to chronic waterlogging in these localities. Two of the three bays along the Barapulla drain are finally flowing after decades. But with the third still blocked by a Delhi Transco Ltd (DTL) tower situated directly at its inlet, one question looms large: how soon can the final obstacle be removed to restore the drain's full flow?
New Indian Express
15-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Cruise services on Yamuna river expected to begin in November
NEW DELHI: The cruise services along the Yamuna river between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur are expected to begin this November. Under the project, an eight-kilometre stretch of the river—from the Wazirabad barrage (Sonia Vihar) to Jagatpur (Shani temple)—has been developed to promote tourism. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had announced the initiative in March this year, aiming to boost tourism in the national capital. 'Delhi is fully geared for cruise service. The work has been awarded and a jetty is under construction. The services are expected to start in November. Delhiites will soon be able to enjoy a cruise ride from Sonia Vihar to Jagatpur,' Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra said. Total five agencies - Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation (DTTDC), and the Irrigation and Flood Control Department have signed a MoU for the ambitious project. The DDA will provide a land for the development of a jetty, while the Irrigation and Flood Control Department will offer navigational aids and shore facilities with charging infrastructure for the cruises, officials said. An official said the ticket pricing is yet to be finalised. 'In the initial phase, two cruises will be deployed. Since it will be winter, we expect a good response,' official further said.
