Venkaiah Naidu for giving national capital a facelift

Hoping to make the national capital a world class city, Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Friday initiated steps for formulating a blue print for its beautification and better upkeep.

In a meeting with senior officials of Ministry and CPWD, Naidu raised the issues of how moderate showers brought the city traffic to grinding halt, littering and improper drainage system.

He pointed out that presentation of the national capital in terms of maintenance of its roads, pathways, vacant spaces, popular monuments and places besides other properties could be much better conveying better aesthetics, according to an aide of Naidu.

Voicing concern over the state of affairs, Naidu maintained that Delhi certainly does not reflect fully the status of the emerging India, its capabilities and aspirations of its residents for a better life.

Naidu also pointed out how a citizen on his first visit to the national capital or a visiting foreign delegation would feel about Delhi and its upkeep. Does a drive from international airport terminal to any central locality of either New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) region or other parts of the city leave a positive impression about the city?

Besides, Naidu raised the question of how residents of national capital feel about their city and why most of the government buildings and other properties convey such a poor impression. He also discussed how Delhi was placed when compared to capitals of other countries similarly placed in terms of either economic development or international importance.

According to Naidu, the vacant spaces, roads and other public utility places could be better managed for the benefit of common Delhiites.

The Minister's concern was shared by those who participated in the deliberations. Multiplicity of authorities involving agencies like NDMC, Municipal Corporation of Delhi​ (MCD),Central Public Works Department​ (CPWD) and Delhi Development Authority​ (DDA) was stated as one of the reasons for the state of affairs in the capital. 

"The Minister asked Urban Development Secretary Sudhir Krishna to convene a meeting of all concerned departments to finalise action plan for the beautification of the city," said the aide.

Naidu directed Urban Development (UD) Secretary to convey the concern of the government to the departments about cleanliness and proper upkeep of office premises.