Sunday 22 November 2015

Centre to give Rs 3,250 crore for city facelift


The BJP-led government at the Centre has decided to give a total of Rs 3,250 crore to decongest the city and carry out several development projects, Union urban development minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said on Sunday.
However, the funds will be divided amongst the Delhi government, DDA and North Delhi Municipal Corporation. “From the urban development fund in my ministry, Rs 3,250 core will be provided for decongestion and development work in the capital city, which would be distributed to the Delhi government, North Delhi Municipal Corporation and Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for implementing various projects,” Mr Naidu said.
The Union minister made the announcement at the launch of the Swachch Delhi Abhiyan, which will be held till November 30, to clear the capital of garbage and construction waste.
He also handed over a cheque of Rs 96.7 crore to the Delhi government as funds from the ministry, which chief minister Arvind Kejriwal promptly disbursed to the urban local bodies at the event.
Mr Kejriwal hailed the event as “the true spirit of cooperative federalism” and said “political divisions” should not deter us from acting in public good. “I will tell you our problem in cleaning our cities is not technicalities, but the missing political will. And, today that political will I see here, from Centre to the local bodies. And, I credit Naiduji for the positive attitude from his side. I am sure, if we can work together, we can solve our problems, and people will appreciate us all,” he said.
“A good beginning has been made in politics,” Mr Naidu said at the event, which was also attended by deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, three civic body mayors and municipal commissioners, New Delhi MP Meenakshi Lekhi, Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta, senior officials from the Delhi and Central governments.
“Out of the total amount, Rs 1,500 crore would be given to the Delhi government for decongestion of roads by addressing different choking points through improvement of road geometry, construction of underpasses and flyovers. The projects would be prioritised in consultation with the Delhi police, municipal bodies and PWD,” Mr Naidu said.
The NDMC would get Rs 85 crore to complete balance work of construction of grade separator at Rani Jhansi Road (flyover from St. Stephen’s Hospital to Filmistan). This will reduce travel time from Karol Bagh to north Delhi from the present one hour to just 10 minutes.

SOURCE: THE ASIAN AGE

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