Delhi’s shared governance leaves accountability nowhere

Delhi's governance is fragmented among the Centre, Delhi government, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Delhi Development Authority, and several other agencies, often lacking coordination. The Times of India reports that this structure results in delays, wasteful public spending, and inconvenience for residents.

For instance, roads are frequently dug up soon after construction by different agencies laying pipelines or cables. During the 2023 monsoon floods, coordination challenges with Haryana over the ITO barrage exposed gaps. Delhi's water supply depends on Haryana's control of the Munak Canal.

Overlapping jurisdictions also delay infrastructure projects, which require approvals from multiple bodies. While responsibility is shared across authorities, accountability remains hard to locate, leaving citizens with unmet service expectations.