The Hindu : New Delhi News : Brighter days ahead for Delhi roads

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Saturday, Dec 08, 2007
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New Delhi

Brighter days ahead for Delhi roads

Staff Reporter

Proposal for modernising streetlights on 443 km of roads has been approved by State Cabinet

Nod for merger of GTPS with PPCL, restructuring of Indraprastha Power Generation Company given
Construction of Haj Manzil at Dwarka also approved; DDA requested to provide land

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Cabinet on Friday approved a proposal for upgrading and modernising streetlights on 443 km of roads maintained by the Public Works Department. It also gave its nod for merger of Gas Turbine Power Station (GTPS) with Pragati Power Corporation Limited (PPCL) and restructuring of Indraprastha Power Generation Company Limited and PPCL.

Announcing the decisions after the meeting, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said streetlights needed to be upgraded as the present level of illumination did not facilitate safe driving during the night thereby leading to avoidable accidents.

The Delhi Government, she said, had constituted a committee of experts to make recommendations on upgrading the streetlights keeping in mind the width of roads, which varies from four lanes to eight lanes, and also to cater to the requirement of the service roads.

Based on the recommendation of the committee, she added, the PWD had prepared an estimate for upgrading the streetlights. The Cabinet has now approved upgrading of streetlights on PWD roads over 443.83 km as against 364 km with distinct colours on different roads at a cost of approximately Rs.198 crore.

The streetlight would be provided on roads, flyovers and adjoining service and slip roads. Their installation would be completed within 15 months from the award of work.

The Chief Minister also announced that the Cabinet had approved the merger of Gas Turbine Power Station with Pragati Power Corporation Limited and winding up of Indraprastha Power Generation Company Limited. After hiving off the GTPS to PPCL, IPGCL will be left with only coal-based plants, which are incurring losses. According to the plan, the coal plants have to be shut down in a phased manner and the company has to be wound up. As such the merger of PPCL with GTPS will enhance their value and also competitiveness on account of the use of backward linkages of GTPS which primarily include the gas allocated to it.

The Cabinet also gave its approval for construction of a Haj Manzil at Dwarka. Ms. Dikshit said Delhi had been an important embarkation point for tourists and pilgrims alike and her government through its Revenue Department had been facilitating Urs Mela and Haj pilgrimage.

Since the need for a permanent accommodation for the pilgrims was being felt, the Chief Minister said her government had requested the Delhi Development Authority to provide 5,000 sq. m of space at Dwarka. The Authority subsequently allotted the space in Sector 22 of Dwarka at a cost of Rs.94.24 lakh. This has now facilitated the commissioning of a modern, spacious and well-maintained Haj Manzil near the Indira Gandhi International Airport that would cater to Haj pilgrims, Ms. Dikshit said.

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