Jagmohan plans to develop walled city

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JULY 19. Hinting at a move to restructure the Delhi Development Authority in order to further bring about improvement in its functioning and efficiency, the Urban Development Minister, Mr. Jagmohan, today said that the Government has in principle approved creation of a Walled City Development Board or Authority to undertake developmental activities in the old city and preserve its heritage and historical character.

Addressing a press conference after the meeting of the Consultative Committee attached to his Ministry, Mr. Jagmohan said that further modalities for setting up the board would be worked out. It would have representatives of the Delhi Government, Delhi Urban Art Commission, Archaeological Survey of India, and all other local authorities and agencies to ensure better coordination.

So far as restructuring of the DDA is concerned, he said a group under his chairmanship has been set up to study the matter and make recommendations. The restructuring would not imply bifurcation or trifurcation but would facilitate strengthening of the authority to ensure further good work and help curb illegal constructions.

He also informed that his Ministry has further planned to amend law to give more teeth to the Delhi Urban Art Commission to enable it to issue instructions/directions to various local bodies in regard to keeping up of street furniture and that skyline were scrupulously observed. It would also set up a mechanism to check whether local bodies were complying with the observance of the municipal bye-laws and zoning regulations to take appropriate action in the event of default.

He also said that the Government has also decided to take up four projects to carry out redevelopment work in select areas of the walled city. One of them envisaged redevelopment and improvement of Begum Ka Bagh opposite Old Delhi Railway Station. This project would be executed by Housing and Urban Development Corporation in consultation by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. Another project to be executed by the Delhi Development Authority and the Central Public Works Department concerned redevelopment and improvement of Nigam/Qudesia Ghat and the entire area lying between the old city wall and the river.

The third and fourth projects relate to redevelopment and improvement of Kashmiri Gate complex and area along the wall up to Morigate and clearance and redevelopment of the entire green area lying between Jama Masjid and Red Fort. The Delhi Development Authority, Archaeological Survey of India and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi would be involved in these projects.

During the meeting, the members, Mr. Jagmohan said, suggested that the services of the Central Agencies should be allowed to be utilised for projects to be executed from the M. P. Local Area Development Fund. They appreciated the work done by these agencies under the Integrated Development of Small and Medium Towns Scheme for development of urban infrastructure.

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