Outlining the economic and development vision of Delhi government at a meeting of chief ministers and finance ministers of all states chaired by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday, deputy CM Manish Sisodia said the target was to make the capital’s per capita income equal to Singapore’s by 2047.
The discussions were held to improve the country’s economy and accelerate the pace of development in all states. Delhi’s growth rate reached 11-12% in the past six years and per capita income Rs 3.5 lakh, which is three times the national standard. The service sector accounts for 85% of Delhi’s GDP. Currently, Delhi’s contribution to India’s GDP is 4.4% despite having only 1.5% of the country’s population.
Sisodia underlined that shortage of land was the biggest challenge in the all-round development of Delhi and stressed that the AAP government expected cooperation from the Centre in this regard.
Delhi has 29 planned industrial areas and four flatted factory complexes. “There are also 25 non-conforming industrial clusters, but all activities take place there. The central government should validate these areas soon so that they can contribute to the growth of Delhi,” said Sisodia, while urging the Centre and Delhi Development Authority to cooperate in the larger interest of citizens.
The Kejriwal administration intends to build a world-class multilevel manufacturing hub on 147 acres in Rani Khera. On 55.2 acres, a knowledge-based industrial park is being developed in Baprola. In Kanjhawala, an integrated industrial township has been planned. The proposed large greenfield project will be on 920 acres.
“The city’s roads of 540km length are being redesigned at a cost of Rs 11,000 crore to meet world-class standards. Delhi government expects the central government to contribute in this regard too,” said Sisodia.
The deputy CM added, “The AAP government is working to make Delhi pollution-free. It has implemented the Electric Vehicle Policy and intends to make the city the country’s evehicle capital. A thousand ebuses have been procured. In the coming days, 4,000-5,000 ebuses will be purchased for which the central government’s cooperation will be needed.”
“New hospitals are being constructed on government-owned land. While DDA has given land to private trusts to build hospitals, they have not been able to use them. These lands should be audited by the central government. If the trusts are unable to build hospitals, Delhi government will construct world-class hospitals on such land,” said Sisodia.
Sisodia further stated, “Currently, only 20% of Class XII pass children across the country get higher education. In the last 5-6 years, this figure has exceeded over 45% in Delhi. To build a college or university, Delhi government has to purchase land from DDA at high prices. If DDA brings a change in its policy with the intervention of the central government, it will be of great help in improving the field of higher education.”
He also appealed to the Centre to approve the remaining three Delhi Metro Phase-IV corridors. Sisodia said the AAP government was promoting startups and had drafted a new policy for them. To improve ease of doing business, 454 old rules from 16 departments had been repealed.
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