Govt committed to turning Delhi into world class city: Dikshit

New Delhi, Aug 21 (UNI) Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today said her Government was committed to 'its dream' of turning Delhi into a world class city by improving the civic and social infrastructure.

Speaking at the National Capital Region (NCR) Planning Board meeting, she said Delhi has become one of the most favoured places for living in the country and even international agencies have categorised it as ''the first ranked metropolitan'' Indian city.

She said the Government is trying to improve the transport network and infrastructure by constructing flyovers, underpasses, sub-ways, elevators and the Metro.

''The construction of eastern and western peripheral expressways would bring respite to one and all in terms of reduced congestion on Delhi roads and opening of new areas for development along the alignment,'' she said.

She pointed out that her Government has already released its full share of Rs 653.5 crore to the Road Transport and Highways Ministry for construction of the Western peripheral expressway.

For the first time, the Delhi Government has joined hands with the Haryana and UP and Centre and the private sector for the project.

The Chief Minister said the Government has consciously taken up projects which in the future would facilitate faster movement of commuters between Delhi and NCR.

For augmenting the public transport integrated multi-modal transport system, consisting of 43 corridors, having nearly 575-km length alternate transport modes like high capacity bus system, metro, elevated light rail transit, mono rail and integrated rail-bus transport system, have been planned by 2012 for improving the public transport system.

The Delhi Government would be a willing partner in projects like waste disposal, power generation, water management and transport etc, she said.

Urging the neighbouring states to share the load of development around the capital, she said Delhi caters to needs of in-migrants coming from these states and hence they should not hesitate in parting with the resources-- water, power and land.

She said the Government would like to accelerate the momentum of use of eco-friendly CNG fuel by demanding that all other vehicles plying in the NCR may switch over to CNG.

In the power sector, the Government is planning to set up two gased power based plants within Delhi, apart from those being implemented by the NTPC, she added.

About the Commonwealth Games, the Chief Minister said the event will provide an unique opportunity to develop and showcase its services and infrastructure.

''Games of such magnitude will have a catalytic effect not only on development of the host city but also on its immediate surrounding regions.'' She sought the cooperation of neighbouring states for development of infrastructure facilities and tourism spots.

Expressing concern over the rising population in the NCR because of its geopolitical status, she said the population growth rate which is double than the national rate, has a direct bearing on the requirement on the infrastructural facilities in the city.'' UNI