At the Express Adda held in Mumbai last week, Sheila Dikshit,
Chief Minister of Delhi, not only brought deep insight into big-city
administration for Mumbai — perpetually troubled by traffic snarls and
steep rentals — but also the challenges that India faces over the next
20 years. In a freewheeling conversation with Uday Shankar, CEO of Star
India and Shekhar Gupta, Editor-in-Chief of The Express Group, presented
by Reid & Taylor in association with Olive Bar & Kitchen,
Dikshit candidly admitted that just some years ago, Delhiites dreamed
that the national capital should be a city like Mumbai. Corporate India
listened in awe as she recounted how she overcame her challenges.
Dikshit, 74, passionately in love with Delhi, suggested
that Mumbai could try its hands at the bhagidari model of governance,
with NGOs and resident associations working closely with the state. She
is convinced that big cities can be better managed if split into more
municipalities — a decision Delhi took recently. The two states are
primarily different, she said, but then, India must take the leap and
plan mega-city states that will not just offer better job prospects but
also a superior quality of life
On Delhi
New Delhi has just completed 100 years and, out of those, I have
lived there for 74. I have this identity, affinity and love for Delhi
that very few have. I am not just the CM, I am passionately in love with
Delhi. The 19th century of India belonged to Calcutta, the 20th to
Bombay and the 21st belongs to Delhi. I am proud of the fact that the
Delhi Metro has completed 192 km and, in the next three or four years,
it will be 320 km, moving on towards Gurgaon and Noida. We have both the
advantage and disadvantage of these satellite towns, it has taken a lot
of burden off us but it has also put a lot of burden on us. I shudder
to think what Delhi would have been if it did not have Noida or Gurgaon.
with thanks : INDIAN EXPRESS : LINK for detailed news story.
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