Rs 93-cr projects okayed for rural areas of Delhi

The AAP-led Delhi Government on Friday approved 100 projects worth Rs 93 crore for development in the Capital’s rural areas.

A meeting of the Gram Vikas Board, chaired by Development Minister Gopal Rai, was held at the Delhi Secretariat, where the board approved 100 schemes, including development works related to roads, drains, community centres, parks, crematoriums and playgrounds.

Officials were instructed to complete the village development projects within the stipulated time frame.

Rai said, “The government established the Gram Vikas Board to ensure the development of Delhi’s villages. These projects aim to improve amenities across all villages in the Capital.

‘Gaon Bachao’ yatra from tomorrow

• Residents of Delhi’s 360 villages, led by Sakal Panchayat Palam 360 chief Chaudhary Surender Solanki, will embark on the ‘Gaon Dehat Bachao Yatra’ from October 13.
• Solanki said, “The situation has become worse, with lack of basic infrastructure, poor sanitation and broken roads and drains.” He warned that if their grievances were not addressed before the polls, the residents will boycott the election.

Additionally, department officials were instructed to process project files related to village development within the stipulated time frame.”

The Development Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing basic amenities not only to urban residents but also to those living in rural areas of Delhi. He added, “The board has approved the installation of 100 benches in larger villages and 20 benches in smaller villages. These development projects are being implemented through the Irrigation and Flood Control Department and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.”

The Gram Vikas Project includes works such as the construction of link roads and rural roads in villages, development of ponds and reservoirs and the creation of community centres, parks, crematoriums, playgrounds and gymnasiums. It also involves building drainage systems and constructing or repairing chaupals, barat ghars and other need-based infrastructure.

With Assembly elections set for February next year, the ruling AAP is looking to gain support from rural voters. The rural areas of Delhi have long faced a lack of basic infrastructure, with villagers also raising issues regarding ownership rights to land.

The khaps of rural villages have begun agitating against the Delhi and Central governments over the ownership rights of poor farmers under Section 74/4 of the Delhi Land Reforms Act. Villagers are demanding alternative plots for those whose lands were acquired, ownership rights for ancestral property under the Svamitva Scheme (without stamp duty) and the development of villages into smart villages under the Green Development Area policy, Master Plan 2041 and amended land pooling policy, among other issues.