lashing out at the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) for claiming to have completed the redevelopment of Connaught Place, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, during an inspection visit on Thursday, gave four weeks' time to the body to finish the project. She was accompanied by Delhi Chief Secretary DM Spolia, NDMC Chairperson Archana Arora, the CMD of Engineers India limited (EIl) and other senior officials.
Dikshit took rounds of almost all blocks in Connaught Place and pointed out areas needing attention. She specifically told the EIl that the Government will not tolerate any more delays in the Rs 671-crore project. The NDMC earlier had fixed a deadline for June 30 for the Connaught Place redevelopment plan that was supposed to be completed before the Commonwealth Games in October, 2010. The EIl has missed several deadlines.
After the visit, Dikshit stated that the sheen of the redeveloped Connaught Place would depend upon the finishing works. "The service cables or utilities must be shifted into the tunnel immediately. The work related to pavements in pedestrian area should also be completed," she added. Dikshit also instructed that hanging electric wires should not be visible in Connaught Place.
She instructed proper facelift be given to inner courtyards, inner circle and walkways in the galleries, and stated that horticultural work need to be improved substantially.
She instructed the NDMC to appropriately design the roadside kiosks and launch a special campaign to remove posters. While referring to the need for cleanliness and sanitation, Dikshit directed the NDMC to properly maintain the public toilets.
She also stressed upon the need for early completion of the works to facilitate her Government to inaugurate the fully redeveloped, refurbished and meticulously revived Connaught Place. The city Government has always been very keen on restoring the glory of Connaught Place.
