Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal, in his mission of getting all the roads of unauthorised colonies constructed by Dec’24, inaugurated road and drainage development works in the Dashrathpuri Colony of the Dwarka Assembly constituency on Wednesday. He stated that a total of 76 new roads have been constructed here. Works including roads, sewer lines, new water lines, gas lines, and more have been completed in areas like Vaishali, Dabri Extension, Durga Park, Vashist Park, Raghunagar, and Sagarpur. The local residents are extremely pleased with the completion of these works.
The CM mentioned that the condition of slum colonies in Delhi used to be very poor in the past. People didn’t even have proper relationships here. But now, roads and drains have been constructed, and everyone is living a life of dignity and respect. Earlier governments used to win votes by constructing a couple of roads, but I won’t ask for votes by constructing just a couple of roads. I will build all the roads. The people of Delhi have chosen an honest government. We save money in every aspect, which is why we are able to accomplish so much work.
During the inauguration ceremony, CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal congratulated the residents of Dashrathpuri for the completion of new roads, sewerage, water, and sewer pipeline work. He mentioned that during rainy days, walking here was a challenge. After the Anna Andolan (Anti-Corruption Movement), we formed the Aam Aadmi Party and contested the first election in 2013. During that time, I used to visit many areas, especially conducting foot marches in the unauthorised colonies. Those days, it used to rain. We used to walk through the squishy mud. During those walks at that time, I saw the poor condition of unauthorised colonies. I used to think that this was the condition of the national capital. When we say capital, we think of India Gate, New Delhi. But the real Delhi is in these unauthorised colonies. Most of the population of Delhi used to reside in these unauthorised colonies. However, no one paid attention to them.
The CM explained that in 2013, during election campaigning, he stopped at a house to drink water from the tap despite the mud. He sat at their house and learned about the dire conditions of unauthorised colonies. He was told by an individual from the family that People from our area were not respected. Relatives would come, see the condition of the unauthorised colonies, and leave. It was a terrible situation. But now, all the lanes in Dashrathpuri have been built. Everyone has received dignity and respect, and they are free from dirt roads. Development work has been completed in Dashrathpuri, Vaishali Extension, and Dabri Extension. All the lanes around the colonies and main roads have been constructed. Work is ongoing in Durga Park. Most of the work in Durga Park has been completed. Only work on one or two roads is pending. In Vashisht Park, Raghunagar, and Sagarpur wards, sewer work has been completed, and now road work is going to be completed. Work is also underway in the Indira Park Extension. A total of 76 roads have been constructed, with a total length of 7.5 kilometres. 152 drains have been built.
CM Arvind Kejriwal said that earlier, they used to just build a couple of roads in the entire constituency and ask for votes in their name. They would contest elections based on these two roads. I am a common man, just like you. Initially, I was nothing. 10 years ago, nobody knew me in this country. The people of Delhi gave me their love and entrusted me with such a significant responsibility. I don’t know how to do politics; I came to work. I won’t just ask for votes by promising two roads. I will build all the roads. When I contested the 2020 election, I had said that if you liked my 5 years of work, then vote for me; otherwise, don’t. We will do all the work. We need to fix Delhi.
Shri Arvind Kejriwal mentioned that until now, all parties have only focused their politics on unauthorised colonies. Before every election, these parties used to promise to develop unauthorised colonies if they were given votes. Even in the 2020 elections, the central government promised to make unauthorised colonies pucca (solid structures). But no one does anything. Their intentions are bad. Our intentions are good. When our government was formed, only 250 roads had been constructed in 1700 unauthorised colonies in Delhi in 65 years. In the past 7 years, I have built roads in 850 unauthorised colonies. Before our government, water pipelines were installed in 850 unauthorised colonies, and our government has now installed water pipelines in all unauthorised colonies in Delhi. Sewer connections are also being provided. By December of next year, all roads in Delhi’s unauthorised colonies will be constructed.
The CM said that many people ask him where the money comes from. In 65 years, 250 colonies had roads built, and in just 7 years, I have built roads in 850 colonies. We have money because our government is honest. The people of Delhi have chosen an honest government and voted for honest people. We save money on everything. Delhi was the only state in the country where there was 24-hour electricity and free electricity. After Delhi, Punjab also gets 24-hour electricity and free electricity. In 2014, when our government was formed in 2015, power cuts used to be 7-8 hours long. Delhi’s education model is now being discussed throughout the country. The government has built excellent schools, and quality education is being provided. We have established many mohalla clinics throughout Delhi, and medical treatment is free for everyone.
Shri Arvind Kejriwal said that in the coming times, he wants to ensure that 24-hour water supply reaches every household in Delhi. “I am personally invested in this task so that when someone opens their tap at home, clean water flows. There should be no need for water tanks. In the past, power cuts used to happen, and people had to use generators and inverters. Now, for clean water, every house needs to install filters and RO systems. My dream is that in a few years, people in Delhi can drink water directly from the tap. Clean water should be available, and there should be a 24-hour water supply.”
The CM mentioned that we need to clean the Yamuna River. I am committed to cleaning the Yamuna. All the roads in Delhi have been built. The people of Delhi have entrusted the responsibility of Delhi’s municipal corporations to us. I am thankful for that. All three elected representatives of the Aam Aadmi Party are from Dashrathpuri. Now we are preparing to clean the entire Delhi. I have instructed all my representatives and officers to clean up wherever there is garbage. Clean Delhi once and for all. We are creating a system. We will bring in many machines. Mechanical sweeping will be implemented, and roads will be cleaned. Just like in big countries like America and Europe, Delhi should also have proper sanitation.
He stated that the people of Delhi read in newspapers every day how efforts are being made to obstruct our work. Recently, the Supreme Court issued an order. The Supreme Court stated that India is a democracy, and in a democracy, the people are the owners. The people vote and choose their government. The government that the people elect should have all the rights and powers to work. On May 11, the Supreme Court stated that the Chief Minister and Ministers should have all the powers to work. However, within eight days, on May 19, they revoked all the powers of the Delhi government through an order. But I want to reassure the people of Delhi not to worry; I am here. I won’t let the work stop, no matter what happens. I was nothing before. Still, I could get things done by sitting at Ramlila Maidan. Now I am the Chief Minister. Hence, all the work will be done. The pace of work might slow down a bit. If all the powers are restored, a task that takes a year can be completed in 10 days. I won’t let the work stop. Your schools, hospitals, mohalla clinics, medicines, tests – all the free services will continue. Electricity and water supply will continue. We have filed a case in the Supreme Court. I am confident that the Supreme Court will stand by the people of Delhi and will restore our powers. So that we can work vigorously. I want to thank the people of Delhi for loving and blessing me like their son and brother. Keep showering this love and blessings. I don’t need anything else. I will keep fighting for the people of Delhi all my life. My last breath is for the people of Delhi.
CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal tweeted and said that today he visited Dashrathpuri Colony in Dwarka Assembly constituency, where he interacted with local residents. Here, we have built a total of 76 new roads. We have carried out various development works in areas like Vaishali, Dabri Extension, Durga Park, Vashist Park, Raghunagar, and Sagarpur, including roads, sewer lines, new water lines, gas lines, and more. The local residents are very happy with all these works.
Urban Development Minister Shri Saurabh Bhardwaj, during this event, mentioned that for years, it has been said that 40% of Delhi’s population lives in unauthorised colonies. However, no one has questioned the central government about why 40% of the population resides in unauthorised colonies. Over decades, the responsibility of creating new colonies in Delhi was given to the central government agency DDA (Delhi Development Authority). Although the population increased in Delhi, the DDA couldn’t fulfil its mandate of creating solid colonies. Therefore, due to the lack of available space, unauthorised colonies started to develop. The mistakes of the central government led to the shortage of shops and commercial complexes in accordance with the population’s needs. Consequently, unauthorised colonies increased, and shops developed within residential areas. Commercial activities also began. This was not the fault of the people but the mistakes of the DDA and the central government. DDA didn’t carry out planned residential and commercial developments, which led to the current situation.
