The Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi is staring at a year of intense pressure and scrutiny as it heads into 2024. With a slew of major electoral promises from previous years still pending fulfillment, the administration faces the formidable task of delivering on key commitments related to water, transport, and healthcare infrastructure.
A Legacy of Pending Commitments
As the government prepares its roadmap for the coming months, several flagship assurances remain incomplete. One of the most significant is the promise of 24x7 piped water supply across the national capital. This ambitious project, a cornerstone of the AAP's civic agenda, has seen limited progress despite being a repeated poll plank.
The responsibility for this lies primarily with the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), which continues to grapple with systemic challenges. Water Minister Atishi has been actively reviewing the board's operations, but the goal of round-the-clock supply remains elusive for most Delhi households. The government must now accelerate efforts to upgrade infrastructure and reduce water losses to make this a reality.
Transport and Healthcare: Key Battlegrounds
Another major area of concern is public transport. The government's pledge to add 12,000 new buses to the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) fleet is far from being met. This shortage has directly contributed to the overcrowding and reliability issues that plague the city's bus system daily. Commuters continue to face hardships, and fulfilling this promise is critical to easing Delhi's traffic congestion and pollution.
In the healthcare sector, while the Mohalla Clinics have been a success story, the plan to expand and upgrade hospital infrastructure is still a work in progress. The government has also been working on reforms within the Health and Family Welfare department to improve service delivery, but tangible results on the ground are eagerly awaited by residents.
The Road Ahead in a Busy Year
The year 2024 is not just about pending projects; it will also be shaped by the ongoing political dynamics and the need for administrative efficiency. With the Model Code of Conduct likely to be enforced later in the year due to the Lok Sabha elections, the window for executing major policy decisions or launching new initiatives may be limited.
This compressed timeline adds urgency to the government's agenda. Officials will need to navigate bureaucratic processes and ensure focused implementation to achieve breakthroughs in water supply, bus augmentation, and health services. The performance of ministers like Atishi (Water, Finance, Education) and others overseeing these critical departments will be under constant observation.
Ultimately, the Kejriwal government's legacy in Delhi will be significantly defined by its ability to convert these long-standing promises into tangible outcomes for its citizens. The coming year presents both a challenge and an opportunity to address these gaps and demonstrate concrete progress on the issues that matter most to the people of the capital.
