Election Code to Slow Down Key Infrastructure Projects in New Delhi
New Delhi enters the election period with the imposition of the model code of conduct, several ongoing infrastructure projects are set to experience significant delays. These delays, affecting key developments, could disrupt daily life, traffic management, and urban mobility across the capital. Projects ranging from sewage treatment plants to road repairs and parking facilities are among those affected, causing inconvenience for residents and commuters alike.
One of the most notable projects facing a delay is the Okhla Sewage Treatment Plant. Nearly 98% of the plant’s construction has been completed, but its commissioning is now on hold due to the model code of conduct. This wastewater treatment facility, designed to handle 124 million gallons per day, was expected to be inaugurated soon. However, with the elections underway, the government cannot finalise the project or officially open the plant, delaying a much-needed boost to the city’s sewage infrastructure. Other significant projects that will be impacted include road repairs and parking facility developments. The Public Works Department (PWD) had announced several road repair works in October 2024, but these will continue only on stretches where tenders had already been floated. Major projects like the repair of the Outer Ring Road, a critical thoroughfare, will now be postponed until after the elections. With traffic already heavy in various parts of the city, these delays are likely to exacerbate congestion, especially during peak hours.
Similarly, the development of several new facilities will be put on hold. Plans for an integrated children’s home near Alipur, and the development of a corridor near Indira Gandhi International Airport, will not commence until after the election period. The stalled progress of these projects could result in further delays in much-needed urban developments, making it harder to keep up with the city’s growing infrastructure demands. Furthermore, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has been working on long-pending multi-level parking projects in busy locations such as Rajendra Place, Rani Bagh, and Shastri Park. These projects, which were expected to alleviate the chronic parking shortages in densely populated areas, will also be delayed due to the election-related restrictions. Without sufficient parking facilities, illegal parking and traffic congestion are likely to worsen, leading to more chaos on the already clogged streets.
The New Delhi Municipal Council’s (NDMC) plan to redevelop the Shivaji Bus Terminal is another casualty of the election period. Originally conceived six years ago, the project was designed to transform the bus terminal into a commercial complex-cum-transport hub. However, since the plan has not yet been finalised, work is unlikely to begin until after the polls, leaving commuters without the modern facilities they were hoping for. One of the most anticipated projects, a 9 km cycling route linking New Moti Bagh to South Block and Udyog Bhawan, will also be delayed. The budget for the project was approved, but approvals from planning and finance departments were still pending. With elections taking precedence, the final nod for this initiative aimed at promoting eco-friendly transportation will now be postponed. The delays caused by the election code of conduct have sparked concern among residents and commuters. Traffic congestion will likely worsen as construction on major roads and infrastructure projects is delayed, and vital facilities like sewage treatment and parking will remain incomplete. For many, the postponement of these projects means longer wait times for improved infrastructure, leaving the city to grapple with existing urban challenges for the foreseeable future. While the delay in these essential projects is understandable from a legal and political standpoint, it highlights the ongoing struggle between urban development and electoral processes. As the election period comes to a close, these projects will resume, but for now, Delhi residents are left to contend with a temporary slowdown in the city’s infrastructure growth.
