The Congress on Tuesday provided a peek into its election manifesto with senior leader and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit spelling out future plans for the Capital in the next five years.
Top on the list of priorities was creation of a “common single command” to rid the city of multiplicity of agencies that cause delay in implementation of government programmes and welfare schemes. The centralised command is expected to monitor all agencies such as the Delhi Development Authority, the civic bodies and the Delhi Government agencies, and bring it under one roof.
“There is a problem of multiplicity of authorities in the city. What is required is a ‘single command’ so no confusion is created. What takes a year to complete can be done in a matter of few months,” Ms. Dikshit said during a press conference at her residence here.
To ease the problems of traffic congestion in the city, the Congress will look into constructing double-decker flyovers and monorails, she said. “We have also been thinking about doing a study on laying of tramlines to decongest roads and restrict plying of private vehicles.”
With the city attracting a fare number of migrant workers, Ms. Dikshit said that party will construct ‘Shramik Ashray Kendra’ or labour holding areas for construction workers to live instead of setting up jhuggis.
“In order to make Delhi slum-free, in-situ development and resettlement of slums will be taken up apart from constructing large number of dwelling units.”
Special attention to young girls and women features in the list of plans for the Capital with the Congress party planning to construct a large number of public conveniences in every assembly segment with 20 constructed exclusively for women. “We are thinking of extending the Laadli scheme where an additional Rs.50,000 will be provided for skill development of girl children after they complete their school education.”
Further, Ms. Dikshit said a scheme will be implemented to benefit the city’s homeless population to effectively rehabilitate them. “Saying that nothing has been done for the last 15 years is not true,” she said, referring to claims made by the opposition BJP. “The three consecutive victories of the Congress party are enough to refute such allegations.”
