Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and her ministerial team took to the streets today to assess the condition of roads across the national capital. This initiative is part of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s commitment to achieving a pothole-free city by Diwali.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Atishi stated, "The entire cabinet has been on the ground since 6 am to inspect roads and ensure all Public Works Department (PWD) roads in Delhi are free of potholes." She mentioned specific areas, including NSIC Okhla, Modi Mill flyover, Chirag Delhi, Tughlakabad extension, Mathura Road, Ashram Chowk, and an underpass that have been inspected for repairs.

Highlighting the poor condition of the roads, which have led to significant traffic issues, Atishi instructed officials to expedite repairs. "Under Arvind Kejriwal's guidance, we aim to provide pothole-free roads for Delhiites by Diwali," she emphasized.

Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia visited Patparganj in East Delhi, noting the damage caused by heavy rainfall. Bharadwaj remarked, "The government acknowledges that the roads need repair. While the monsoon has contributed to the situation, the delay in work was exacerbated by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's six-month imprisonment. Now that he is back, we have been instructed to prioritize these repairs."

Minister Gopal Rai inspected areas in North East Delhi, including Yamuna Vihar and Wazirabad Road, stating, "Our sole objective is to fix all roads in Delhi." Other ministers, including Imran Hussain, Kailash Gehlot, and Mukesh Shehrawat, also conducted inspections in their respective regions.

Former Chief Minister Kejriwal assured residents that suspended work would resume, emphasizing the need for a thorough assessment of PWD roads. "I visited Delhi University with Atishi yesterday to evaluate damaged roads. In the coming days, all our MLAs and ministers will assess the situation, and repairs will be carried out promptly to minimize inconvenience to residents," he said.

Earlier this month, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena criticized the state of roads in West Delhi, stating that residents were living in dire conditions due to government neglect. He described the roads as submerged in deep potholes and overflowing drains, highlighting the administrative apathy that has plagued the area.

In response, the AAP countered the Lieutenant Governor's remarks, arguing that disruptions caused by his office had hindered essential desilting and sewerage work across Delhi before the monsoon season.

This pothole-free initiative marks the AAP's first major governance campaign since the Supreme Court granted bail to Kejriwal in a corruption case. Following his temporary resignation, Atishi has stepped in as Chief Minister as the party prepares for upcoming Assembly elections in Delhi early next year.