Even as the country’s health system was imploding, patients were running from pillar to post for beds and oxygen and vaccine beneficiaries were turned away due to shortage, work on Narendra Modi’s ambitious Rs 20,000-crore Delhi makeover project was in full swing
A man breaks down as he performs the last rites of his kin who died of COVID, in Delhi, on Tuesday. Pic/AFP
When states across the nation were struggling to cope with a massive surge in demands for beds and oxygen, and crematoriums were overwhelmed because of spiralling daily cases and deaths, the BJP-led Centre declared the work for Central Vista Avenue project an essential service.
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A model of the planned new parliament building
According to a report in Scroll, on April 19, when Delhi entered a complete lockdown, deputy police commissioner’s office issued a notice under ‘essential services’ category, allowing 180 vehicles engaged in the project to ply till April 30. The notice was issued after the Central Public Works Department sought permission to allow Shapoorji Pallonji and Company Private Limited to “ferry their workers to and from their labour camp at Sarai Kale Khan through their own buses during the curfew period”.
Opposition leaders and many others have questioned the need to go ahead with the project amid a raging pandemic, and states struggling to vaccinate all its beneficiaries due to shortage of vaccines.
“Rejecting universal opinion to scrap Rs 20K crore project feeding his personal vanity, Modi now circumvents lockdown & classifies this as an ‘essential activity’ as millions gasp for oxygen to survive. Scrap this project. Procure Oxygen & vaccines,” tweeted CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury, who recently lost his son to COVID-19.
There was a slight drop in daily cases and deaths on Tuesday. The health ministry’s 8 am data reported 3,23,144 new cases and 2,771 deaths. Meanwhile, a consignment of containers for the transportation of oxygen arrived in India from Thailand while more empty tankers will be airlifted from Singapore.
‘Testing in UP low; shortage of oxygen’
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi on Tuesday wrote to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, alleging low testing for COVID-19, a shortage of oxygen beds and a sluggish vaccination drive in the state. Uttar Pradesh on Monday reported a record 249 deaths. She said the virus “is now spreading to villages”. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the UP government of lying about oxygen availability, and said it was sad to see people wandering for it. The CM had recently claimed there is no shortage of oxygen in UP.
1,76,36,307
Total no. of coronavirus cases in india so far
1,97,894
Total no. of deaths due to the virus in India so far
1,45,56,209
Total no. of patients recovered and discharged in India so far
14,52,71,186
(Total no. of people vaccinated so far)
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