Kapil Sibal, our HRD Minister, is busy reforming the education sector with a zeal unmatched by any of his cabinet colleagues. Yet, he finds time to take care of his constituency, Chandni Chowk, and address many of its problems. One of the major cause of worry for the residents is its maze of small lanes and sewer lines that run parallel which have not been relaid or repaired for ages. It is not unusual for the sewage water and filth to flood homes every now and then. Relaying these lanes and sewer lines have thus come to dominate much of the funds Sibal deploys out of his MPLAD funds. Here we talk of one that he funded in 2007-8.

Project: Relaying sewer and water lines and relaying 110 lanes with latest RCC technology in Bazaar Sita Ram and Kucha Pandit, in Chandni Chowk.
Objective: To prevent sewer water from flooding homes.
Date of commencement: October 2007
Deadline: July 2008
Completion: July 2008.
Who executed it: MCD, Delhi Jal Board
Estimated Cost: Rs 44,94,000
Cost incurred: Rs 44,94,000

Our Principal Correspondent Jasleen Kaur decided to check if the project has brought relief of this congested locality who, for years, have been living with little civic facility. She found the relaid lanes, water and sewer lines have definitely improved the situation though require regular attention. Residents had a difficult time negotiating these lanes, which were nothing more than garbage dumps. Now, these have been cleaned and cemented. A drainage system has also been developed. The residents and shopkeepers are happy. Sewage water no longer enters their homes and shops. Mohammed Marghoob, a local businessman, had this to say: "Earlier we could not even walk on these lanes. The sewer lines often overflowed and entered our homes. It was very difficult to live in these conditions. But our M.P has done good job and things have improved a lot."

Mohmmad Zakir, who runs a shop in the same locality, echoed similar sentiments. He said: “The lanes were more of garbage dumps, spreading a stink everywhere. The sewer lines had not been repaired. The condition has improved now.”

Jasleen too thinks Sibal has done a good job by ensuring better amenities for the residents of Bazaar Sita Ram and Kucha Pandit.

Your Turn: Kapil Sibal claims to have carried out several other projects to improve the civic condition of Chandni Chowk. 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 Sibal took up in 2007-08:

• Sewer line and CC pavement in Pvt Katra Beriwali in Sadak Prem Naryan
• Wall along DDA flats in Turkman Gate SPZ
• Stg of Gali Kasim Javan from Bobia School to Ballimaran road
• Development of Footpath near Hauz Qazi Metro Station Chawri Bazar
• Development of gali Khazoor wali and Resham wali its lane by cc pavment
• Construction and Renovation of The IP Girls Sr. Sec School Jama Masjid Delhi