Rising Costs Push BJP to Reconsider Urban Beautification Drive in Delhi

Rising Costs Push BJP to Reconsider Urban Beautification Drive in Delhi
Jitendra Kumar
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In a significant shift, the BJP-led administration in Delhi is reportedly reassessing its high-profile streetscaping and beautification initiative due to ballooning costs. Once hailed as a transformative step toward modern urban development, the project now faces an uncertain future.

Genesis of the Project

The streetscaping project was envisioned to bring global design standards to Delhi’s roads. Drawing inspiration from cities like Paris and Singapore, it aimed to reimagine public spaces, pedestrian access, greenery, lighting, and street furniture across 540 kilometers of key roads.

Planned initially under the Aam Aadmi Party government, the BJP’s interest in sustaining and expanding the initiative was seen as a bipartisan commitment to urban renewal. However, the current financial climate is challenging those intentions.

What Went Wrong?

A senior official from the Public Works Department (PWD) shared that the estimated cost of ₹19 crore per kilometer has proven unsustainable. With material prices surging post-COVID, coupled with delays and inflation, the cost now touches nearly ₹30 crore per kilometer in some stretches. An internal audit reportedly flagged budgetary overruns and project execution bottlenecks.

Political Ramifications

The opposition, particularly the Aam Aadmi Party, has accused the BJP of “abandoning people-centric development” and “shifting focus away from city welfare.” BJP leaders, however, argue that fiscal prudence is essential and that funding should be redirected to core civic needs like drainage systems, water pipelines, and healthcare infrastructure.

Delhi BJP spokesperson Harish Khurana said, “This isn’t about aesthetics alone. It’s about viability. If a project becomes a bottomless pit of funds, we must stop and evaluate whether it benefits the common man.”

Experts Weigh In

Urban planning experts and architects remain divided. While some believe the beautification was long overdue, others stress that form must not override function.

Prof. Meera Menon, an urban studies expert at Jawaharlal Nehru University, said, “It’s important to make cities livable, but such projects must be balanced with basic urban needs. Delhi still lacks equitable pedestrian infrastructure and suffers from water logging in monsoons—beautification can’t solve systemic flaws.”

Voices from the Ground

In Connaught Place and Chandni Chowk—two areas already partially revamped—shop owners are disillusioned. The initial footfall increase has tapered, and maintenance lags have left some sections dirty or neglected. Auto drivers complain about narrower roads and longer detours, while residents raise concerns about the durability of materials used.

Sunita Sharma, a resident of Lajpat Nagar, said, “The tiles start breaking within months, and nothing is repaired. Why waste crores when things fall apart so quickly?”

Alternative Approaches

With the streetscaping initiative under review, the BJP is said to be evaluating alternatives that combine practical road upgrades with limited visual enhancements. This would include installing solar-powered streetlights, improving footpath gradients for senior citizens, and ensuring uniform signages.

The Road Ahead

Though no final decision has been made, internal discussions suggest the project may be shelved or dramatically scaled down. A policy paper is expected soon from the PWD, recommending revised scope, costs, and timelines. A final call is likely after the Lok Sabha elections.

Journalist Details

Jitendra Kumar
Jitendra Kumar is an Indian journalist and social activist from Hathras in Uttar Pradesh is known as the senior journalist and founder of Xpert Times Network Private Limited.