Upcoming elections hold up key infrastructure projects

Key infrastructure projects in Delhi, already hindered by intermittent curbs under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), are likely to remain in limbo at least until mid-February, as the Delhi assembly elections have triggered the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). With the MCC in place, officials said, new approvals or announcements cannot be made until after the polls.

- Paras Singh

Among the affected projects are the presentation of municipal budget, road re-carpeting in dilapidated areas, and the redevelopment of the Shivaji Bus Terminal near Connaught Place.

A senior official from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) said that delays due to the absence of a standing committee were already affecting the civic body's work. Now, with the MCC in effect, "no new work orders can be issued" until it is lifted. The official also noted that this disruption would likely impact the corporation's annual budget cycle since new announcements are prohibited during the election period.

Municipal budget

Under the normal annual cycle of MCD, the annual budget proposals and revised budget estimates are presented before the standing committee in December. The proposals are then discussed and amended in various special, ad-hoc and wards committees and the house of councilors through January, and the tax rates for the next financial year are finalised before February 15 in a special meeting of the house. The municipal budget proposals are valued at approximately ₹17,000 crore this year.