Projects stuck due to non-cooperation of AAP government: Harsh Vardhan
New Delhi, June 19: Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan on Tuesday said that projects in his parliamentary constituency Chandni Chowk, including the Shahjahanabad redevelopment plan, are stuck due to non-cooperation of Delhi's AAP government.
He also said that much-awaited Rani Jhansi flyover in north Delhi will be completed by August this year.
Asked about works stuck in his constituency, he said that two of his pet projects - the Shahjahanabad redevelopment plan and under-grounding of electric cables in Chandni Chowk - could not be accomplished as the Arvind Kejriwal government did not cooperate.
"We followed up the Shahjahanabad redevelopment plan aggressively, I also met Lt Governor (Anil Baijal) and he was interested but the Delhi government backed out. I also met Chief Minister but he was reluctant," said Harsh Vardhan.
He further added that another project for removing all the hanging electricity wires and cables in crowded Chandni Chowk area could not be accomplished because of the "attitude" of the Delhi government.
"We were in talks with the Union Power ministry and Delhi government... the mechanism is such that you got to have their (Delhi government) support... but after few meetings, the AAP government representatives stopped coming to the meetings," he said.
Citing his achievements in his constituency, Harsh Vardhan said these included opening over 50 open gyms, and a skill development centre for Muslim girls at Jama Masjid Police Station.
"Eighty more gyms are are planned, besides 35 to be developed with cooperation with DDA (Delhi Development Authority)," he said.
The Union Minister also disclosed his plan to provide separate facilities to women in the open gyms so that they are not deprived of the facility due to long queues in parks.
He said that around 237 projects were in different phases of progression in his constituency and will be visible in next one year.
"People had been walking in my house for past 25 years to get their issues resolved and they don't have to take any appointment... this the kind of public dialogue our government promotes," Harsh Vardhan added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
RCB beat MI by 18 runs after batters fire
Mumbai (PTI): Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli blasted half-centuries as the defending champions beat Mumbai Indians by 18 runs in an Indian Premier League match here on Sunday.
Salt (78 off 36 balls) and Kohli (50 off 38 balls) stitched together a 120-run stand for the opening wicket before Patidar scored a rapid 53 off just 20 balls as RCB posted 240 for 4.
In response, Mumbai Indians were restricted to 222 for 5, with RCB spinner Suyash Sharma (2/47) putting the skids on the home side with a double strike in the eighth over, from which they could not recover.
Sherfane Rutherford top-scored for MI with an unbeaten 71 off 31 balls.
While opener Rohit Sharma appeared to be struggling with a hamstring issue and had to retire hurt on 19, his partner Ryan Rickelton made 37, while Suryakumar Yadav (33) and Hardik Pandya (40) were the other contributors for MI.
Brief scores:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 240 for 4 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 78, Virat Kohli 50, Rajat Patidar 53, Tim David 35 not out).
Mumbai Indians: 222 for 5 in 20 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 71 not out, Ryan Rickelton 37, Hardik Pandya 40; Suyash Sharma 2/47).
