The Hindu : Project outsourcing hits a roadblock

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 04, 2004

Other States

Other States - New Delhi

Project outsourcing hits a roadblock

By Sujay Mehdudia

NEW DELHI JAN. 3. In a bid to break official-political nexus in the award and execution of various works, the Delhi Cabinet had taken a decision months ago to outsource major projects. However, the nexus has proved to be much stronger with the bureaucracy stalling the execution of this reformist measure and putting a question mark over the sanctity of the Cabinet decisions.

In fact, the Cabinet under the leadership of the Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, had taken a decision to ensure third party quality inspection a few months ago. The file is gathering dust in the corridors of power with no effort being made to bring about the required transparency in the execution of major infrastructure projects. What is more surprising is that one of the major projects approved by the Cabinet falls under the jurisdiction of the Chief Minister and a decision in this regard is yet to be taken by her. The Cabinet had decided to outsource the construction of the Indraprastha University campus project months ago. It was decided to get the project implemented on an experimental basis under the new scheme in league with the private sector to get over the delays many such projects face when executed by the government agencies like the Public Works Department, the Delhi State Industrial Development Corporation and the Irrigation and Flood Control Department. However, the decision has remained in the files and nothing has moved beyond that. "If they can stall a project in a Department that falls under the Chief Minister, then nothing will move. The strong bureaucratic lobby in league with politicians will not allow this to happen,'' a senior official remarked.

Similarly, another project falling under the jurisdiction of the Chief Minister is hanging fire despite a decision to outsource it. It pertains to the construction of a jail at Mandawali in East Delhi. The State Home Department, that is to take the initiative to outsource the project, is sitting on it presently and nothing seems to be moving. The situation is no different for the prestigious Liver Institute project that is coming up at Vasant Kunj in South Delhi. At that time, it was felt that a number of projects that cost over Rs. 20 crores should be outsourced to step up the process of development and prevent delays. However, all these have been stalled and all the initiatives in this regard have come to a standstill. There are several prestigious projects that were to be outsourced but continue to linger on without any direction.

The Cabinet had long ago decided to outsource the work for execution of Inter-State Bus Terminus projects at Narela, Sarai Kale Khan and Dwarka. The ISBTs were to keep pace with the changing profile of these up-coming areas and it was decided to have state-of-the-art ISBTs at these places with the help of the private sector. The Government even engaged private consultants to work on the design of the project that were to have escalators, inter-changing lanes to avoid congestion and connectivity with the upcoming Metro Rail project. However, despite a decision in this regard, these projects continue to gather dust and have been put on the background by some vested interests. "The Chief Minister will have to show the will to get these projects going. Then only her target of achieving a development oriented agenda would work and get implemented. All those who are stalling these projects should be taken to task and an explanation should be sought for the delay in implementation of the Cabinet decisions,'' a senior Minister stated.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Other States

News Update

Stories in this Section

Sheila to shut her `open door policy'

Next phase of polio drive launched

Relief for Iran quake-hit

Security tightened at residence of Sheila Dikshit

A cold week-end for Delhi

Traffic diversion for procession

Betting racket busted

Errant auto drivers will face the music: Minister

Project outsourcing hits a roadblock

For Congress, the buck stops at Sonia's door