Team Atishi conducts ground inspection in Delhi for 'pothole-free by Diwali' initiative

PTC News Desk: Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and her cabinet members embarked on a street inspection tour today to assess the condition of roads in the national capital as part of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's mission to eliminate potholes before Diwali.

In a post on X, Chief Minister Atishi shared, "The entire cabinet of the Delhi government has been on Ground Zero since 6 am to inspect the roads and make all Public Works Department (PWD) roads in Delhi pothole-free. I have personally overseen the conditions of roads in various locations, including NSIC Okhla, Modi Mill flyover, Chirag Delhi, Tughlakabad extension, Mathura Road, Ashram Chowk, and underpass areas."

Atishi emphasized the current poor state of the roads, which have caused significant traffic problems for residents. "I have instructed officials to repair the roads on a war footing. Under Arvind Kejriwal's guidance, our commitment is to ensure that Delhiites enjoy pothole-free roads by Diwali," she stated.

Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, along with former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, focused on the Patparganj area in East Delhi. Bharadwaj noted, "Delhi has experienced heavy rainfall recently. While many roads are in good condition, some stretches, as short as 50 meters, have been damaged due to waterlogging. We discussed these issues with Chief Minister Kejriwal, who urged us to take immediate action."

When asked about the implications of AAP's pothole-free campaign, especially considering their decade-long governance in Delhi, Bharadwaj replied, "We must approach this honestly. The government acknowledges that the roads are in disrepair and require urgent attention. The BJP's complaints are misplaced. Yes, the monsoon has impacted the roads, but Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's previous six-month incarceration disrupted many projects in Delhi. Now that he is back, we have been instructed to resolve these issues swiftly."

Minister Gopal Rai took charge of inspecting areas in Northeast Delhi, including Yamuna Vihar and Wazirabad Road, stating, "Our singular goal is to ensure that all roads in Delhi are repaired." Meanwhile, other ministers, including Imran Hussain, Kailash Gehlot, and Mukesh Shehrawat, also conducted inspections across various regions, reinforcing the party's commitment to road maintenance.

Former Chief Minister Kejriwal reassured residents that the halted work due to his arrest would resume. He noted, "I visited Delhi University with Atishi yesterday, and the roads there were in poor condition. I urged Atishi to conduct a thorough assessment of all PWD roads in Delhi within the next three to four days. All our MLAs and ministers will actively participate in this assessment, and we will expedite repairs in the coming months to minimize inconvenience for the public."

Earlier this month, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena conducted an inspection in West Delhi, expressing concern over the state of the roads and the living conditions of residents. He described the scenario as "worse than hell," citing issues such as submerged roads, overflowing drains, and severe sanitation problems.

The AAP responded sharply to the Lieutenant Governor's remarks, stating, "If not for the persistent disruptions caused by the LG, the desilting and sewerage works across Delhi would have been completed prior to the monsoon season."

This pothole-free initiative marks the first major governance campaign undertaken by the AAP following the Supreme Court granting bail to Kejriwal in a corruption case. Just days after his release, Kejriwal made headlines by announcing his resignation as Chief Minister, indicating he would return to office only after being re-elected. In his absence, Atishi has stepped in as Chief Minister as the AAP gears up for the upcoming Assembly elections in Delhi early next year.

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