Projects stuck due to non-cooperation of AAP government: Harsh Vardhan

Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan on Tuesday said that projects in his parliamentary constituency Chandni Chowk, including the Shahjahanabad redevelopment plan, are stuck due to non-cooperation of Delhi's AAP government.

He also said that much-awaited Rani Jhansi flyover in north Delhi will be completed by August this year.

Asked about works stuck in his constituency, he said that two of his pet projects - the Shahjahanabad redevelopment plan and under-grounding of electric cables in Chandni Chowk - could not be accomplished as the Arvind Kejriwal government did not cooperate.

"We followed up the Shahjahanabad redevelopment plan aggressively, I also met Lt Governor (Anil Baijal) and he was interested but the Delhi government backed out. I also met Chief Minister but he was reluctant," said Harsh Vardhan.

He further added that another project for removing all the hanging electricity wires and cables in crowded Chandni Chowk area could not be accomplished because of the "attitude" of the Delhi government.

"We were in talks with the Union Power ministry and Delhi government... the mechanism is such that you got to have their (Delhi government) support... but after few meetings, the AAP government representatives stopped coming to the meetings," he said.

Citing his achievements in his constituency, Harsh Vardhan said these included opening over 50 open gyms, and a skill development centre for Muslim girls at Jama Masjid Police Station.

"Eighty more gyms are are planned, besides 35 to be developed with cooperation with DDA (Delhi Development Authority)," he said.

The Union Minister also disclosed his plan to provide separate facilities to women in the open gyms so that they are not deprived of the facility due to long queues in parks.

He said that around 237 projects were in different phases of progression in his constituency and will be visible in next one year.

"People had been walking in my house for past 25 years to get their issues resolved and they don't have to take any appointment... this the kind of public dialogue our government promotes," Harsh Vardhan added.

--IANS

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