Delhi should be city for common man, not just crorepatis: Sheila

New Delhi, Jan 8 (UNI) Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today said any developmental plan for Delhi should focus on making it an ideal place of habitation for the common man and not just the 'crorepatis'.

''Our objective is not to make Delhi merely a "city of crorepatis'. Rather, it should be developed so as to provide shelter and source of livelihood to the common man and the middle class,''Ms Dikshit said at the conclusion of a discussion on draft proposals of the 2021 Master Plan in the Delhi Legislative Assembly which saw members cutting across party lines put across their suggestions for incorporation in it.

Ms Dikshit said the preparation of the 2021 Master Plan posed several short term as well as long term challenges for the planners.

''The first and most important challenge in the short term is to put a stop to the spectre of sealing and demolition in Delhi. In the long term, the aim should be to provide shelter and source of livelihood for the common man and small traders,''the Chief Minister said.

To the Delhi Development Authority, which, along with the Union Ministry of Urban Development, has been entrusted with the task of preparing the Master Plan, Ms Dikshit said,''while preparing a Master Plan for the city, it is very important to first and foremost prepare a Zonal plan involving mapping of various areas in the city to determine the total space available for residential and commercial activities.'' ''Also, we cannot make a plan for the next 20 years without determining the requirement not only for today but also for tomorrow. Any such plan should not only think of the present generation but also the future generations,''she said.

Later, the House passed a resolution, moved by Delhi Finance Minister A K Walia, calling for the suggestions put forth by members to be incorporated in the 2021 MPD so as to realise the dream of making Delhi a world class global city.

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