New Delhi, January 14, 2026
The Delhi Government on Wednesday inaugurated an Ayushman Arogya Mandir at the MCW Centre in Sonia Vihar, Karawal Nagar, marking another step towards strengthening neighbourhood-level healthcare infrastructure in the capital. The facility was inaugurated by Delhi’s Minister for Art, Culture, Language and Tourism Kapil Mishra, who said that the government is also planning to start a full-fledged hospital in the assembly constituency during the current tenure.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by local public representatives, senior officials and a large number of residents from the area. Addressing the gathering, the minister said the opening of the Ayushman Arogya Mandir reflects the government’s focus on providing accessible and free healthcare services close to people’s homes, while simultaneously accelerating overall development in the region.
Kapil Mishra said that a decision has been taken to lay sewer lines across the entire Karawal Nagar assembly constituency. Under this plan, sewer work has already begun in Sonia Vihar and will now be extended to Sabhapur as well. He said that the government is committed to improving the quality of life of residents through comprehensive development, which includes the provision of drinking water pipelines, sewer infrastructure, reliable electricity supply, better road connectivity, highways and metro services. According to him, metro services are also expected to begin in Sonia Vihar in the near future, significantly improving connectivity for local residents.
Highlighting long-pending infrastructure issues, the minister said that in parts of Karawal Nagar ward where sewer lines had been laid in the past but were never made operational, fresh surveys have now been initiated. These sewer lines, he said, will be made functional soon to ensure proper sanitation and prevent recurring problems related to sewage overflow.
He also spoke about flood protection and infrastructure improvement along the Yamuna, stating that a survey is currently underway to double the pusta, or embankment. The consultant’s report is expected shortly, following which work on doubling the pusta will begin without delay. The project, he added, is targeted to be completed within the current tenure.
On tourism and riverfront development, Kapil Mishra said that a Yamuna river cruise service will soon be launched in Delhi, with Sonia Vihar as the starting point. He informed that he had recently visited Mumbai to inspect the functioning of an operational cruise service there. Along with the cruise project, a major tourism hub is also planned in the area, which is expected to boost tourism and generate local employment opportunities.
The minister said that efforts are also being made to improve facilities in schools and hospitals across the constituency. As part of welfare initiatives, forms related to old-age pensions have been filled, and eligible beneficiaries are being identified to ensure that pension benefits reach those in need.
Taking a sharp political stance, Kapil Mishra criticised the Aam Aadmi Party, alleging that almost no concrete development work was carried out in the area over the last 10 to 12 years. He claimed that during the previous government’s tenure, corruption was rampant, old-age pensions were stopped, water pipelines were laid but never made operational, and sewer work remained confined to paper without actual execution on the ground. He said that several alleged scams linked to the previous administration are now coming to light and that the current government is conducting a thorough accounting of these matters.
Speaking about healthcare expansion across Delhi, the minister said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the government is working rapidly towards its goal of establishing more than 1,100 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in the capital. So far, 319 such centres have already been dedicated to the public. Through these facilities, residents are receiving free treatment, medical tests and essential medicines near their homes, reducing dependence on larger hospitals for primary care.
On public transport, Kapil Mishra said that Delhi currently has 3,535 electric buses in operation, including around 1,150 new DEVI buses, which are now visible across various parts of the city. He said the number of buses has been increased from the Chauhan Patti terminal, and new bus services have been introduced from Sonia Vihar, Chauhan Patti, Karawal Nagar, Bhagat Singh Colony and Bhajanpura to other parts of Delhi. Directions have also been issued to the Public Works Department to improve the condition of roads and bridges to ensure smoother and safer travel.
The minister emphasised that the Delhi Government is not limiting development to announcements or paperwork, but is focused on implementing projects on the ground. He said that the impact of these initiatives will become increasingly visible in the coming months, and Delhi will emerge as a more developed, organised and convenient capital.
Concluding his address, Kapil Mishra said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and with public support, the government remains fully committed to the all-round development of Karawal Nagar and the city as a whole.
