New Delhi: Identifying migration into
Delhi as a major challenge, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit
today strongly urged the Centre to make Delhi and nearby
satellite towns a common economic zone to cut down the
increasing flow of migrants into the city.
Addressing a meeting to formulate priorities for the
12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) organised by the Planning
Commission, Dikshit also sought framing of a common economic
development policy for all the neighbouring cities and towns.
"It is essential to develop National Capital Region to
lessen the burden on Delhi," Dikshit said, in presence of
Planning Commission Deputy Chairperson Montek Singh Ahluwalia,
Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Himachal
Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal.
Seeking measures to ensure water security for the
future, Dikshit said her government has planned various
projects implementation of which also depend on the
neighbouring states.
"This will help in storage of Yamuna flood water
during rainy season," she said.
Other states -- Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Uttar
Pradesh, Uttarakhand -- and the union territory of Chandigarh
were also represented in the meeting by senior ministers and
officials.
Dikshit submitted a suggestion to construct a common
pond near boundaries of Delhi, Haryana and Uttra Pradesh.
She said by the year 2021, the population of Delhi may touch
20 million mark from current 16 million.
Noting that disposal of solid waste has become a major
challenge for the city, Dikshit requested all participating
states to set up of common sanitary landfill sites in the
region.
In order to decongest Delhi roads and divert traffic
going through Delhi to other states, Dikshit emphasised the
need for expediting work on Western and Eastern Peripheral
Expressways.
Dikshit said during 12th Five Year Plan, 103 kms of
new lines will be added in the metro network to be used by
nearly 20 lakh commuters per day.
Giving account of efforts to improve transport
infrastructure in the city, Dikshit said her government plans
to construct 14 new BRT corridors with a total length of 229
km during 12th Five Year Plan.
"We will also construct an East-West corridor starting
from Akshardham in East Delhi to Punjabi Bagh in West Delhi
besides extending the Barapullah elevated road up to Mayur
Vihar in East Delhi and INA in South Delhi," she said.
She said the government has been working to make Delhi
a slum-free city and about four lakh dwelling units will have
to be constructed for the purpose.
Dikshit said DDA needs to take the responsibility of
constructing houses for economically weaker section. She said
DDA should construct two lakh houses for the poor while the
remaining two lakh houses would be constructed by Delhi
government under JNNURM.
Dikshit said demand for electricity in Delhi is likely
to reach about 8,700 MW by the end of 12th Five Year Plan from
current 4,700 MW and sought concerted efforts to augment
generation of power in the city.
Participating in consultation, Hooda said urban
services in the region should be developed in a uniform
manner.
He underlined the need of making NCR Board more
purposeful and development-oriented.
The Chief Minister also wanted extension of Delhi
Metro in the neighbouring cities of Haryana and sought Delhi
CM's cooperation in this regard.
Later asked about Delhi's complain of Haryana not
providing adequate water, Hooda said his state has always
given more than allotted quota of "clean water" to the city.
Asked about Hooda's comment, Dikshit said why often
more than permissible level of ammonia is found in Yamuna
water.
PTI
First Published: Monday, May 23, 2011, 23:50