New Delhi, April 2025: In a major shift in Delhi’s urban development agenda, the newly formed BJP-led Delhi government has officially scrapped the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s ambitious streetscaping project that aimed to beautify arterial roads in European style.
The decision, announced by Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Parvesh Verma, was attributed to the project’s high cost, stating, “Spending ₹1 crore per kilometre for beautification is a luxury we cannot afford.” He emphasized the need for basic, safe, and functional road infrastructure over aesthetic enhancements.
The project entailed a complete redesign of the right-of-way (ROW) and turning them into open public spaces. It included curated landscaping, shaded seating areas, state-of-the-art lighting, vibrant street furniture, sidewalks, sculptures, plazas, fountains and comfortable walking and cycling spaces. The main carriageway and junctions of these roads were also geometrically corrected for better uniformity, safety and universal accessibility.
The 16 beautified stretches included Ring Road sections from Moolchand to Ashram Chowk; Mayapuri to Moti Bagh; Shantivan to Rajghat, Vikas Marg from Karkari More to Laxmi Nagar, Narwana Road, Britannia Chowk to Outer Ring Road (Pitampura), Wazirabad, Majlis Park, Karkardooma, KN Katju Marg in Rohini, Netaji Subhash Place to Rithala, parts Rohtak Road near Tikri border, Shivdas Puri Marg from Moti Nagar to Pusa roundabout among other sites. In South Delhi, these stretches are located on Lodhi Road near Indian Habitat Centre, parts of Aurobindo Marg and Nelson Mandela road near Vasant Kunj.
To be sure, this is not the first time that the newly formed BJP government has modified projects proposed or implemented by the former government. The Rekha Gupta-led government recently rebranded the proposed AAP’s Mohalla Bus scheme as DEVI bus service. It is also in the process of renovating the AAP’s Mohalla Clinics into Aarogya Mandirs under the recently implemented Ayushman Bharat scheme.
Criticising the latest move, the AAP said: “Not only have they shamelessly reneged on every promise — from ₹2,500 monthly support for women to free gas cylinders on Holi — but they are now deliberately dismantling the AAP government’s work, troubling Delhiites.”
BJP Government’s New Focus: Structural Repair and Design
Instead of continuing with the previous government’s plans, the BJP said it will redirect funds and efforts toward long-term repairs of road stretches, better drainage, pothole removal, and improved geometric road designs.
“What we have inherited are broken roads without proper footpaths or signage, clogged drains, and severe congestion,” said Verma. “We want roads that are structurally sound and globally exemplary, not just visually appealing.”
The Streetscaping Vision and What Was Completed
The streetscaping project was initially launched in August 2020 by then Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, envisioning the redesign of 540 km of arterial roads to match “European standards.”
By 2023, work on 16 sample stretches covering 40 km was completed. These projects included landscaping, shaded seating areas, sculptures, fountains, better lighting, street furniture, pedestrian and cycling spaces, and geometric corrections to junctions for improved accessibility and safety.
Notable Completed Stretches:
- Moolchand to Ashram Chowk (Ring Road)
- Mayapuri to Moti Bagh
- Shantivan to Rajghat
- Vikas Marg (Karkari More to Laxmi Nagar)
- Britannia Chowk to Outer Ring Road (Pitampura)
- Lodhi Road near India Habitat Centre
- Parts of Aurobindo Marg and Nelson Mandela Road
AAP Criticizes Political Motive Behind Project Cancellation
Reacting sharply, the AAP accused the BJP government of deliberately dismantling public development work started by its predecessor. “They promised continuity of development during elections, but have backtracked on every front,” said an AAP spokesperson.
The party pointed out similar moves such as rebranding of the Mohalla Bus Yojana as the DEVI Bus Service and conversion of Mohalla Clinics into Aarogya Mandirs under Ayushman Bharat.
“From cancelling ₹2,500 support for women to scrapping gas subsidies and now this — the BJP has betrayed Delhiites and halted progress,” AAP alleged.
What Lies Ahead?
While the BJP argues that functional and safer roads are the need of the hour, critics argue that urban aesthetic and pedestrian infrastructure are equally vital for a capital city. With the project now shelved, the focus turns to how effectively the government delivers on repairs and sustainable design that benefits daily commuters.
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