Urban News

The Economic Times 16.08.2009

Slum-free city in 4 yrs: Sheila Dikshit

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government will soon start allotment of around 10,000 low-cost houses to the poor. Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit believes the initiative will make Delhi a slum-free city in the next three to four years.

The government will also improve the existing public distribution system to ensure supply of subsidized food to the poor.

The CM made these announcements on Saturday while hoisting the national flag for the 11th time at a state-level function at Ambedkar Stadium. Dikshit said that under this scheme the vulnerable families would become owners of their houses in well-developed colonies. A few days ago, Delhi government had announced that the poor rooted out of their homes to make space for Commonwealth Games-related projects would get priority during allotment process for the low-cost houses.

Spelling out the agenda for her government, the chief minister said Delhi was actively working to accelerate regularization of unauthorized colonies, which have already got the provisional regularization certificates. ‘‘The government is duty-bound to bring a visible change in such colonies. It will ensure better civic services to the lakhs of residents,’’ a government release noted.

The CM added the capital has an opportunity to emerge as a world-class city ahead of the Commonwealth Games in 2010. ‘‘The infrastructure which is being developed for the Games will be part of the legacy of the city. We will require a better civic sense and dedicated volunteers to present our etiquettes and courtesy during the Games. Schoolchildren and college students will be able to render constructive contribution in this regard,’’ she said.

Highlighting the achievements of her 10-year-old government, the chief minister claimed flyovers, FOBs with escalators, underpasses and expansion of Delhi Metro network have ‘‘improved’’ city’s infrastructure. Dikshit also talked about ‘‘gains’’ made in the field of education due to improved board results, opening of new schools and new universities.

While referring to the achievements in social sector, the chief minister termed Ladli scheme a success. She said the number of registration of girl child has overtaken registration of boys in the capital, which, she claimed, has happened due to the ambitious scheme.

Reaching out to Delhiites, Dikshit appealed to people to make rational use of electricity and water. ‘‘Even 10% cut in the consumption could help putting an end to the problem of loadshedding and shortage of drinking water,’’ the official statement said. The chief minister also asked people to preserve capital’s heritage.

Hindustan Times 19.08.2009

Centre to fund underground Colaba-Bandra Metro line

The decks have been cleared for the third Metro corridor, which will run between Colaba and Bandra.

On Tuesday, Union Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy said the state and central governments will fund 50 per cent and the Centre will also work towards securing loans for the project.

The 20-km Colaba-Bandra route, which will be the city’s first underground Metro line, is also one of the most contentious due to the high cost associated with the project.

“If the government decides to build the third line on its own, the Centre will give the requisite financial help,” Reddy said at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the second Metro line, where President Pratibha Patil was the chief guest.

“The government will pick up 50 per cent stake in the project apart from facilitating loans from the Japanese Bank and a Rs 1,000-crore subordinate debt.”

The first two Metro lines — 11.4-km Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar (Rs 2,356 crore) and 31.87-km Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd (Rs 11,000 crore) — are being built in partnership with private player, Reliance Infrastructure.

But due to the high cost involved in the third line, private players were reluctant to invest in the project.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority has decided on two proposals for the third Metro line.

One plan envisaged a 17-km underground line from Colaba to Mahim and then a 3-km elevated stretch from Mahim to Bandra. This alignment would cost around Rs 12,000 crore.

The other option proposes a 10-km underground stretch from Colaba to Mahalaxmi and another 10 km elevated stretch from Mahalaxmi to Bandra at a cost of Rs 9,000 crore.

Reddy also stressed on the importance of working on public transport projects like the Bus Rapid Transport System and reclaiming space for pedestrians and cyclists.

Patil stressed on the importance of eliminating slums and the “humane” rehabilitation of those affected by the project.

But soon after the function project-affected people unfurled black banners and protested against the construction of the second Metro line.