New Delhi: Delays in completion of civic projects are often attributed to financial constraints, pending approvals or procedural bottlenecks. While such explanations are all too familiar, what’s far more difficult to justify is not opening projects, which have already been completed, to the public.Across civic bodies in Delhi, several high-profile public facilities have remained non-operational long after their constructions were finished, thus depriving people of the benefits these projects were meant to deliver.A prominent example is Karol Bagh’s Heritage Park. Though Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) completed it nearly two years ago, it has not been opened. Conceived as a ‘waste-to-art‘ initiative, it features 20 detailed replicas of Unesco World Heritage monuments from across India. All major installations were done by April 2024, after which the finishing work was completed in a month. If it had been opened on time, it could have become a major recreational and educational attraction.Similarly, a pet park in Jangpura remains unused for over three years despite being ready. At a time when the corporation is actively searching for land for new dog shelters, this facility, intended for pet dogs, is yet to open. Officials say MCD is inviting fresh tenders for the determination of operational rates and the appointment of an agency to run the park.The issue is not limited to MCD. Even New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), which does not face significant financial constraints, has delayed opening several of its completed projects. Like JPN Library on Mandir Marg, which despite being fully furnished, is inaccessible to the public. It will accommodate around 200 readers at a time and give readers access to over five lakh e-books and digital resources apart from over 30,000 books. The delay highlights bureaucratic inertia and underutilisation of public investment, locals say.JPN Library, Mandir MargNDMC’s newly constructed library on Navyug School campus remains closed despite being ready, frustrating locals and students awaiting a long-promised knowledge hub.Officials say civil, electrical, painting, and interior work has been completed. During an inspection this Jan, the NDMC chairman suggested additional improvements, which have since been implemented. However, the library is still awaiting commissioning, probably because its inauguration and guest list have not been finalised.“The chairman again visited the library this Monday and found things in order. NDMC has procured around 35,000 books and is expecting the place to become operational from the middle of this month,” said a source. The facility is designed for students, researchers, and general readers. It will also have competitive exam materials along with books of literature, science, history and other subjects.Officials say the library will benefit residents of Valmiki Sadan, Mandir Marg, Gole Market and nearby areas. The structure spans 1,471 square metres over three floors. The ground floor houses an auditorium, while the first and second floors have library halls measuring 490 square metres each. Designed with universal accessibility in mind, it includes reading areas, reception services, a kids’ area, a multipurpose hall and digital access points.Originally estimated at Rs 6.8 crore, the project cost rose to Rs 14.6 crore due to additional civil work, furniture, fire safety systems and expanded infrastructure. Consequently, the completion timeline was extended beyond the original Aug 2024 target.Arvind Kumar, a local, said, “Public facilities are meant to serve citizens, not remain shut due to administrative delays.”Heritage Park, Karol BaghEnvisioned as a unique blend of heritage, recreation and art, it was originally scheduled to open in April 2024. The foundation stone was laid in Oct 2023 by former MP Meenakshi Lekhi, who allocated nearly Rs 4 crore for the project from her MPLAD funds.Spread across 4.5 acres in the 24-acre Ajmal Khan Park in Karol Bagh, its highlights are five ‘heritage wheels’ or chakras inspired by temple architecture across centuries. They include a towering replica of the Konark wheel in Odisha symbolising Sun God’s chariot wheel, and the Hampi Stone Chariot wheel in Karnataka, dating to the 16th century.When TOI visited the park in March 2024, a month after it had been inaugurated, it appeared nearly ready. Landscaping was complete, sculptures were installed, and only electrical works were to be done. At that time, officials indicated it would be opened to the public in May 2024. Officials later cited waterlogging near the entrance and the need for a proper drainage system as reasons for delaying its opening. Even after these issues were resolved, the park still remains closed.In 2025, MCD expanded the project by adding a bird-themed park under AMRUT scheme with an additional Rs 3 crore allocation. This new section will be designed for children and include interactive sculptures integrated with play features. For instance, a giant peacock sculpture will have slides near its tail, while parrot and pigeon installations will also function as play structures.According to recent updates from senior MCD officials, the park will open after the children’s section and allied work are completed within the next three months. Meanwhile, officials have finalised the price of entry tickets for adults and children and parking facilities.Visitors will be able to enter Heritage Park through a 30-foot-high replica of Teen Darwaza, a historic gateway at Ahmedabad’s Bhadra Fort. Other replicas include Shore Temple and Mahishasuramardhini Mandapa in Tamil Nadu, Durga Temple at Aihole in Karnataka, Amer Fort in Rajasthan, Santiniketan in West Bengal, Delhi’s Red Fort and Champaner in Gujarat. Plaques will be placed about their history and significance.Pet Park, JangpuraMCD’s pet park at Jangpura remains non-operational more than three years after its construction was completed, primarily due to procedural delays and difficulties in appointing an operating agency.Developed in early 2023 over 1.5 acres, the facility was envisioned as a dedicated recreational space for pet dogs. It was to provide a range of amenities, such as a day-care centre, open play areas, veterinary services, grooming and medical outlets, pet shops, a café with a party zone, dog trails and swimming facilities.Though the infrastructure is in place, the park has remained unused, raising concerns about delays in decision-making and underutilisation of public assets. Entry to the facility was planned to be regulated through a registration system, with counters set up for managing user access and safety.This May, MCD officials said the civic body has resumed the process to appoint an agency to operate and maintain the park after an earlier tender received no response from potential bidders. “Meanwhile, the department is ensuring basic upkeep of the infrastructure,” an official said, adding that the fresh tendering process is yet to be completed.The officials added that the delay is also linked to the absence of MCD’s standing committee, whose approval is required to finalise the park’s operational rates and approve the selected operator. Although a high-powered committee was formed in June 2025 to exercise some of the standing committee’s powers, the proposal for running this park has not been taken up yet. As a result, despite being fully built and ready for use, it awaits operational clearance.
