Delhi Lt Governor suggests creation of 'green circuit' to connect city parks

New Delhi: Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal on Wednesday suggested creating a 'green circuit' in the city by providing seamless connectivity from one park or public garden to another by using eco-friendly vehicles.

The L-G, who is also the chairman of the Delhi Development Authority, made the suggestion during the sixth thematic meeting of the DDA, at the Raj Niwas here.

"The L-G suggested that the DDA should consider introducing battery-operated shuttle vehicles to connect the parks and public gardens to enable people experience the greens in the vicinity," a senior DDA official said.

Basically, the idea is to create a "green circuit" by facilitating travel from one park or gardens to another.

The L-G asserted that the idea is "workable" if all agencies concerned work in tandem, the official said, adding the DDA will work on the idea.

"So, something like a DDA-branded electric bus or other green vehicle can be operated so that people can quickly and easily reach from one green to another," he said.

During the meeting, Baijal also reviewed the progress of various park-related projects.

"The biodiversity parks are nature reserves and preserve the flora and fauna of Delhi. These also serve as a shield against climate change and also as a sink for air pollution.

"These parks are, in fact, a vital component of urban infrastructure and have to be sustained through a management system," Baijal said.

The DDA has created a chain of biodiversity parks all over Delhi, which includes Yamuna Biodiversity Park, Aravali Biodiversity Park, Northern Ridge, Tilpath Valley, Neela Hauz, Tughlakabad (Tehkhand Phase III).

"The DDA is also in the process of linking the Yamuna Biodiversity Park Phase-I and Phase-II through a green corridor," the official said.

The L-G also said that the local community, including the RWAs, should be involved in maintenance and management of parks and directed the DDA to provide adequate washrooms, trash bins and other amenities in the parks.

"The DDA should consider utilising properly treated recycled water for irrigating its greens. Also, it must ensure that deterrent clauses are inserted in the agreement with private parties involved in development and maintenance of toilets. Their performance should be regularly monitored, Baijal said.