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Union Minister for Urban Development and Chairman of National Capital Region Planning Board Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad has said that there is a need to have an integrated urban planning effort involving Government of India as well as state governments in the region to have an action plan for the accelerated development of NCR area so that the National Capital Region Planning Board can play a more pro-active role and facilitate development of the region and also the counter magnet towns. “UPA Government would place special emphasis on the development of National Capital Region so that the purpose for which NCRPB was setup 20 years back could be achieved”, he added. He was addressing the delegates at the 27th meeting of NCR Planning Board here today.
In his opening remarks Shri Azad emphasized on the need to take up the implementation of Integrated Rail cum Bus Transit project system at the earliest by various agencies of Government of India and state governments. He called for a coordinated effort to construct express ways and by-passes in the region so that an impetus for growth and the development of the area can be provided. Referring to the growth of small industries, physical and social infrastructure facilities in the region, Shri Azad said that Government of India would play a pro-active role in provisioning of infrastructure and also developing a package of incentives for small industries specially those that needs to be relocated from Delhi.
The Minister also urged the state governments in the region to develop atleast one settlement in their state to facilitate growth of IT and service sectors so that they can emerge as new growth centres and attract investments both from within the country as well as abroad. Referring to the need to provide better environment and green cover Shri Azad said that NCR should take a lead role for development of city forest by utilizing available open areas and waste land so that it can serve as a model for rest of the country.
Expressing concern over the depletion of natural resources especially water and the environment degradation, Shri Azad called for a comprehensive study and preparation of strategy for water augmentation in NCR including rain water harvesting for recharge of ground water besides measures to conserve water and recycling of waste water. Shri Azad also said that there is a need to develop rural areas instead of having a restrictive policy to stop migrants from rural to urban areas. He directed NCRPB to develop rural areas through a cluster based approach for provision of urban amenities in rural areas in consultation with other states. He also emphasized the need to develop modern urban centres in NCR region that could set an example for rest of the country and facilitate urban sector reforms. He also emphasized the need for NCRPB to take up more number of large projects for upgradation and improvement of the infrastructure in the region.
Among others present in the meeting were the Minister for Power Shri P.M. Sayeed, Minister for Urban Employment & Poverty Alleviation, Kumari Selja, Chief Ministers of Delhi, Haryana & Lt. Governor of Delhi and Ministers from NCR region like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Officials of Central Government, state governments and NCRPB were also present in the meeting.
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