After making his mark as a legislator in Delhi assembly, Congress leader Ajay Maken moved to parliament by winning the prestigious New Delhi constituency twice in a  row. He now holds the office of Minister of State for Home Affairs.

Maken takes good care of his constituents. In fact, he has made it a point to be in regular touch with them inspite of his busy schedule and take care of their problems. That is also the secret of his success. So, when bad condition of internal roads and lack of parking space became a cause of worry for the residents of Sadiq Nagar he immediately sanctioned money from his MPLAD fund to set things right.

Project: Development of internal road path and parking space at Sadiq Nagar, Phase -II, New Delhi.
Objective: To improve internal roads in the sectors and provide parking space to residents
Date of commencement: April 28, 2008
Deadline: December 5, 2008
Completion: June 16, 2008
Estimated cost: Rs. 3,70,7500    
Cost incurred: Rs. 3,70,7500  
Executing agency: Central Public Works Department (CPWD)

Governance Now correspondent Shivani Chaturvedi decided to check out the works under the project. She found the internal roads now repaired and in much better condition. A proper parking zone has been provided around the park in Sector 3. The residents are quite satisfied with the work done by their MP. Mithlesh Rastogi, a housewife and a resident of Sector 3 said, “Earlier cars were parked in lanes infront of the quarters but now a proper place has been allotted. Area of the park has been reduced and space for parking has been given to us.”

Commenting on the road condition, Sanjay, a businessman and a resident of Sector 2, said earlier the internal roads were full of potholes but the condition improved with the MP’s efforts. Now it has become easier to drive down the road. Interestingly, residents of sector 1 and 2 are feeling a little jealous and want a similar parking facility in their area.

Shivani too feels that Maken has done a good job but parking issue still needs a bit more attention.

Your Turn: Ajay Maken claims to have improved civic amenities in his constituency through many of his MPLAD schemes. Have these projects really made a difference? Are these projects useful as he claims? Here we list out some of the important ones for you to check out and let us know if his claims are right. Become our Public Reporter and send us your views, photographs and if you like, video clipings, to make your point.

Some of the important projects Maken took up in 2008-09:

• Development of drainage system opposite MCD hospital in Lajpat Nagar
• Additional accommodation in Chaupal at Kilokari village
• Additional accommodation in Balmiki Chaupal in Kotla Mubarakpur
• Development of lane in Hari Nagar, Ashram
• 400 garden benches set up in squares of various residential quarters of RK Puram