The Delhi government has taken a significant step to accelerate development work in the capital by increasing the financial powers of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Commissioner. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has approved the proposal to hike the limit for project approvals from Rs 5 crore to Rs 50 crore. Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena has also cleared this decision, which aims to reduce the time spent on moving files across different departments for routine public works.
Major Boost in Financial Authority
The financial authority of the MCD Commissioner has been increased by ten times under this new order. Previously, the Commissioner could only sanction projects worth up to Rs 5 crore. Any work costing more than this amount required permission from the Standing Committee and the House, a process that often delayed projects for months. Now, with the limit raised to Rs 50 crore, the Commissioner can grant administrative and financial approval directly. This change removes the need for multi-layered clearances for mid-sized projects.
Focus on Faster Work and Safety Rules
This decision is designed to speed up essential civic tasks such as road repairs, drain cleaning, garbage management, and the construction of community centers. By removing bureaucratic hurdles, the government expects these works to start and finish much sooner. Along with empowering the MCD, the Chief Minister has also mandated an 8-point safety framework for construction sites. This new rule ensures that safety measures are strictly followed during digging or construction to prevent accidents in the city.
