Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday asked the Urban Development Department to approve all pending works under the MLA local area development scheme within a week, and sanction new projects in unauthorised colonies within three days.

He said that many developmental projects have been pending for several months. “Good news for those living in hellish conditions in unauthorised colonies,” Kejriwal said on Twitter. “Delhi government has approved and sanctioned budget for construction of roads and drains in all pending colonies [barring ASI/forest areas]. Work will start soon. This will provide them dignity and better living conditions [sic].”

On July 7, the chief minister said his government will sanction funds for construction of roads and drains in all unauthorised colonies within 15 days.

Kejriwal accused the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress of neglecting the unauthorised colonies. “For last several decades, people have been living in hellish conditions in these areas in the capital city of India,” said the chief minister. “Successive BJP/Congress government did nothing. Now, lump sum funds have been sanctioned and works will be done on war footing in mission mode.”