Development of Rajpath into world class boulevard on the cards

New Delhi: Presenting the budget for the next financial year, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has proposed the development of Rajpath into a world class boulevard.

On Tuesday, NDMC chairperson Naresh Kumar said that focus will be given on smart city initiatives with smart electronic and mobile governance.

Total receipt of the Budget estimates for 2019-20 is Rs 4,172.34 crore against an expenditure of Rs 3,954.51 crore.

After presenting the Budget in the council meeting, Mr Kumar said the Rajpath development plan includes development of cycle and pedestrian pathway; parking space for 1,000 cars; toilets and utilities; development of vending zones; development of lake and water channel and installation of fountains in it.

“Being a jewel of New Delhi, the NDMC will develop it into a world class boulevard in concurrence with the Union government. India Gate’s C-Hexagon and Shantipath will be further developed as part of NDMC’s efforts to develop world class public places,” Mr Kumar added.

To commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, NDMC has proposed to undertake various programmes for the benefit of the weaker sections of the society such as free-of-cost skill training to girl child of safai sevaks (sanitation workers), mallis (gardener), khallasis, and beldars working in the council at its Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Kendra at Mandir Marg.

“This facility would be provided to those girls who had secured 60 per cent or above marks in Class 10. Financial scholarship will also be made available per month upto Class 12 to those who wish to pursue recognised professional courses. The 50 per cent coaching fee would be granted by the council at its own cost,” said Mr Kumar.

“The council had proposed to install 625 panic buttons and 625 public addressing systems on smart poles to help the public contact the command centre during emergency. It would help in providing information and addressing the public as and when critical situation arises,” he added.

According to Mr Kumar, 100 public e-charging facilities would be installed by EESL by the end of March 2019.

EESL would bear the upfront cost and share the revenue with NDMC.

“On the basis of the 8,573 feedbacks received from different stakeholders like students, teachers, parents, and administrators, the NDMC had proposed to introduce smart classes in primary sections of NDMC/Navyug schools in the year 2019. The NDMC proposed to install emergency button in all its schools along with CCTV cameras in open areas in the year 2019-20,” said the NDMC chairperson.

The NDMC proposed to set up ‘Digital Public Art Gallery’ in the year 2019-20.

“Digital art gallery will easily adopt and assimilate widespread changes in various art fields such as video art, photographic skill, installation, graphics, and paintings. It will develop new thoughts that stimulate new ideas within the society,” said Mr Kumar.