The Hindu : New Delhi News : Delhi needs to find solutions to its problems, says Sheila Dikshit

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Sunday, Nov 04, 2007
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New Delhi

Delhi needs to find solutions to its problems, says Sheila Dikshit

Staff Reporter

“The Capital’s phenomenal growth has had an adverse impact on its limited civic facilities”

“Cannot depend on neighbouring States for easing its pressure on housing and water”
“Multiplicity of authorities in the city makes governance difficult”

NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has said that the phenomenal growth of Delhi over the past few years has had an adverse impact on its limited civic facilities.

Addressing a conference on “Delhi Vision 2021-- Opportunities for Planned Urban Development” here earlier this week, Ms. Dikshit said: “Delhi has to find solutions to these problems through active participation of citizens, since it cannot depend on neighbouring States for easing its pressure on housing and water.”

The Chief Minister added that rejuvenation of over 150 water bodies would significantly help enhance the city’s water table.

Expressing concern over multiplicity of authorities in the city, she said Delhi’s elected representatives many a time become mute spectators of the development or lack of it taking place in the State. “The true spirit of the 74th and 75th Amendment of the Constitution cannot be enjoyed by the elected representatives of the State. The police force is with the Union Home Ministry while the Delhi Development Authority is under the Union Urban Affairs Ministry that controls land mass. This makes governance difficult. Most of the time we have to get things done for the State through our goodwill with the Union Ministries and other authorities,” she added.

Pointing out that process, procedures and archaic laws prevent smooth implementation of development plans, Ms. Dikshit said, “A case in point is the Lal Dora development that is being governed by an Act promulgated in 1911.”

Calling for a pro-active participation of all segments of society in making Delhi an ideal place to live, she said, “There are people who find everything wrong with the city, but everybody wants to stay here, be they the politicians, civil servants or ordinary people.”

Ms. Dikshit also mentioned some of the high points of development work in Delhi such as the Metro Railway, introduction of over one lakh vehicles running on eco-friendly Compressed Natural Gas and a steadily increasing green cover. However, she said that housing for the economically weaker sections of society was a challenge to be tackled.

“Despite contributing a large share to the national tax kitty, Delhi still has to find ways and means of its own to finance the housing of the economically weaker people. Fifty thousand dwelling units would be ready shortly for distributing to various agencies to make these dwellings within the reach of the people targeted at,” added the Chief Minister.

Organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the conference was attended by several eminent citizens.

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