Demand for quick resolution of Delhi's solid waste disposal, water needs (Hindu 24 May 2011)

During Regional Consultation on Approach to 12th Plan, organised at Delhi Secretariat

For A better FUTURE:Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal during the Regional Consultation on Approach to 12th Plan in New Delhi on Monday.— Photo: V. Sudershan
The need for the northern States to cooperate in the development of infrastructure for meeting the basic needs of the people relating to housing, water, power and transportation was stressed during the Regional Consultation on Approach to 12th Five Year Plan, which was organised at the Delhi Secretariat.
In his introductory remarks, Planning Commission Deputy Chairperson Montek Singh Ahluwalia said proper feedback was very important to develop a system.
‘Not just a plan'
He added that since the Five Year Plan is not merely a five-year Budget but also a policy framework, the 12{+t}{+h}Plan will be based on faster, more inclusive and sustainable growth. The Plan will be evolved in such a way that people feel a wide sense of participation.
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit expressed confidence that with such high level participation of seven Northern States and the Planning Commission, the exercise would be truly meaningful and useful in evolving the approach to the 12th Plan.
Delhi being a small urbanised territory is dependent on neighbouring States for many of its requirements, she said, adding that it needed complete cooperation and support from these States, as also from the Planning Commission.
Ms. Dikshit said it was very essential to develop the National Capital Region to lessen the burden on Delhi, and for this, more powers should be vested with the NCR Board. The Chief Minister also underlined the need to have a Common Economic Zone for the NCR and a Common Economic Development Policy for this area.
By the end of the 12th Plan, Delhi's population may be around 19 million, and by 2021, it may touch the 20 million mark, the Chief Minister said.
With disposal of solid waste for the mega city posing a major challenge and lack of sufficient land for disposal of solid waste adding to the complexity, Ms. Dikshit urged all participating States to set up common sanitary landfill sites in the NCR.
Besides, waste disposal, Ms. Dikshit also spoke about increasing the water supply.
To meet the increased water demand in Delhi, the Chief Minister said, there was a need to expedite potential reservoir projects like Renuka, Keshau and Lakhwar Viyasi.
Cooperation required
Ms. Dikshit also submitted a suggestion to construct a common pond near boundaries of Delhi, Haryana and U.P. which may help resolve water problems. This will require cooperation from these three States, she said, adding that this project would help in storage of flood water available in Yamuna river during the rainy season to meet the raw water requirement during the rest of the year.
Ms. Dikshit also talked about how to decongest Delhi roads and that to ensure that traffic meant for other States avoided Delhi roads, it was essential that the Western and Eastern Peripheral Expressways are completed expeditiously.
Referring to the development in NCR, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda spoke of the need to make the NCR Board more purposeful and development-oriented.
‘Extend metro to Haryana cities'
He also demanded extension of Delhi Metro in the neighbouring cities of Haryana.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said the problems coming in the way of the Renuka Dam Project should be resolved at the earliest so that Delhi could get more drinking water.
He said the Regional Consultation will help in implementation of the Plan and to achieve the targets. Finance Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh also expressed their views at the meet.