NEW DELHI: Stating that the last seven years of Congress rule under her leadership in the Capital had changed the face of Delhi, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Thursday declared that the Government was in the process of preparing a "Perspective Plan" for the next 20-25 years indicating policies and strategies of meeting fund needs under the recently launched Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

Addressing a press conference along with her Cabinet colleagues on completion of her seven years in office, Ms. Dikshit said her Government had not slackened over the last two years and efforts were on to consolidate whatever had been built. Elaborating further on the JNNURM, Ms. Dikshit said a City Development Plan integrating land use with various services for every five-year period plan would also be put in place.

The JNNURM has two sub-missions for urban infrastructure and governance and basic services to the urban poor that are quite relevant for Delhi and provide a unique opportunity to move forward. She said working with the mission would also provide the Government a platform for initiating reforms in a number of areas of urban planning and management.

Ms. Dikshit said the upcoming 2010 Commonwealth Games had provided an opportunity to the Government to showcase what could be done to enhance the quality of services and infrastructure up to international standards.

Stating that a lot had been achieved, the Chief Minister said "a lot more needs to be done for transformation of Delhi into a city of our dreams".

Laying stress on improvement of the mass transport system in the Capital, Ms. Dikshit said: "We have to work towards integration of different modes of mass transport in order to serve the citizens more effectively. Upgrading of all major trunk and radial roads to international standards should be our prime task besides increasing and improving public transport. We need to concentrate on building up a unified system for maintenance of land and property records of Delhi. Work has been started on this project and should be able to take it to its logical conclusion in the shortest possible time. A proper survey of the Lal Dora areas needs to be carried out for clear demarcation. This would help us in providing for urban infrastructure and civic services in these areas. Four, it is necessary to create a computerised database of slum dwellers under the relocation policy along with their current status to improve delivery of services. Five, there is a need to bring the Yamuna back to life and using its banks for theme parks, recreational and leisure centres and world class business convention centres."

Ms. Dikshit said the construction of flyovers, starting the Metro Rail network, putting in place the largest eco-friendly CNG fleet, introduction of Unit Area Method of house tax, introduction of VAT and spread of the Bhagidari scheme were the main highlights.

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