Delhi Cabinet Minister Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh discusses progress in healthcare, transportation, and transparency with The Sunday Guardian.
NEW DELHI: Delhi Cabinet Minister Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh, in a detailed interview with The Sunday Guardian, stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has earned the people’s trust, and the government remains dedicated to enhancing the city through various initiatives. Singh highlighted that Delhi is witnessing noticeable and steady progress. “We are making tangible advancements in all the areas we promised. The transformation is evident across sectors—whether it’s healthcare, transportation, or overall development. The results are clear and speak for themselves,” he said. Q. Under the BJP government, how is Delhi’s health infrastructure evolving—especially considering that you had earlier criticised the AAP government’s approach when you were in the opposition? A. After coming to power in Delhi, the BJP has been actively working to fulfill the promises made during the elections. Our Prime Minister has earned the trust of the people, and we are committed to improving the city through various initiatives—whether it’s the implementation of central government policies, establishing Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, enhancing transportation, or cleaning the Yamuna River. We are taking concrete steps in every area we committed to. Today, you can see the transformation happening in Delhi—be it in healthcare, transportation, or overall development. The change is visible, and the results speak for themselves. Under our government, Delhi has been undergoing visible and consistent improvements. The Health Department is actively transforming. We’ve established 30 new centres and made significant progress in dialysis services. We’ve already reduced the staff shortage in hospitals from 21% to around 12%, and we’re continuing efforts to address the remaining gap, particularly for paramedical staff and technicians. Additionally, we are outsourcing MRI and CT scan services, and within a month, we plan to install MRI and CT machines at 31 locations. Q. The government has launched Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. How do these differ from the AAP-era Mohalla Clinics in terms of scale, services, and accessibility? A. Unlike the previous government that only made claims, we believe in showing results. While they talked, we are delivering. Once the Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are built, the people of Delhi will clearly see the difference between the Mohalla Clinics and the Ayushman Arogya Aushadhalayas. What was done in the name of healthcare before was misleading, but what we are creating will stand as a transparent and effective system for all to witness. Q. With the transition from Mohalla Clinics, many doctors are reportedly in limbo following the expiration of their contracts on March 31. How is your government addressing their concerns and ensuring continuity of care? A. Regarding appointments, all doctors and staff will be hired strictly as per the guidelines of the National Health Mission. We will follow the established criteria for recruiting qualified professionals. Anyone who meets the eligibility requirements is welcome to apply—there will be no bias or restriction. Whether they are doctors from Mohalla Clinics or new applicants, if they fulfill the criteria, they will be considered. The responsibility for appointments will be given to the concerned District Magistrates and Chief District Medical Officers to ensure a fair and transparent process. Q. The Delhi government has announced plans to roll out a Unified Health Information System. What is the timeline for its implementation, and how will it benefit citizens? A. At this stage, it’s too early to commit to a specific timeline. When our government came to power in Delhi, the situation was dire—there was no proper access to drinking water, roads were unclean, hospitals lacked doctors and staff, and there was a 21% staff shortage. In terms of transportation, there were barely any functioning buses—only unsafe, outdated ones. We are working on every step to make Delhi better for Delhiites. Q. Delhi’s public transport infrastructure, particularly DTC buses, is facing aging and capacity issues. What steps is your government taking to modernise and expand the fleet? A. In the transport sector, we are phasing out old, polluting buses and replacing them with new electric vehicles. We have already introduced DEVI Buses—our new EV initiative. Our goal is to ensure that all these new buses are electric by December. This move not only modernises public transport but also supports our broader objective of reducing transport-related pollution in Delhi. Q. Your department is working on a revised EV (Electric Vehicle) policy. When can we expect this new policy to be officially implemented? A. Yes, we are currently working on a new EV policy, and a dedicated committee has already been formed for this purpose. We are aiming to introduce the updated EV policy by June. Q. Does Delhi currently have the infrastructure necessary to support the rapidly growing electric vehicle market? If not, what steps are being taken to develop it? A. Yes, the current infrastructure is capable of handling Delhi’s existing electric vehicle needs. Our goal is to make it even more efficient and future-ready. The new policy will include provisions to enhance capacity and convenience, such as setting up EV charging stations within RWAs and allowing commercial operators to manage and run these facilities. Once implemented, this policy will significantly strengthen Delhi’s EV ecosystem. Q. For the past two years, the MCD has not released dengue data. Will this change under your government? A. As for transparency, absolutely—everything will be placed in the public domain. Whether it is data related to dengue patients or reports on what has or hasn’t been done, all information will be made accessible to the public. This government has nothing to hide. Unlike the previous administration, which betrayed the trust of many, we are committed to honesty, accountability, and keeping the public informed at every step.