New Delhi, Jun 16 (PTI) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday called for a common strategy with neighbouring states to curb pollution and expand green cover in the national capital region (NCR).
Addressing the 42nd meeting of the NCR Planning Board, she said the states must make concerted efforts for balanced development of the NCR, emphasising strengthened regional connectivity, public services and development projects in the region.
Gupta said the pace of regional development can be accelerated only through a coordinated approach, enabling the benefits of growth to reach every part of the NCR, a statement from the Delhi Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said.
Reiterating her commitment to increasing green cover across the NCR, Gupta said large-scale
plantation drives and greenery enhancement programmes should continue on a sustained basis to help control pollution and ensure a healthy environment.
The meeting, chaired by Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal, was also attended by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and senior representatives from Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
The Delhi chief minister highlighted the issue of rising pollution in the NCR, describing it as a serious and shared challenge.
She said all four states would need to undertake long-term and concrete efforts together to address the problem effectively. If all states adopt a common policy, modern technology and appropriate resources for pollution control in a coordinated manner, the problem can be tackled more effectively, she said.
Gupta said all states which share the NCR must work jointly to provide adequate and quality services to people across the region, ensuring balanced development and an improved quality of life for them.
The Delhi government continues to prioritise expansion of public facilities and development works, said the Delhi CM, and added, “Other NCR states must also make serious efforts towards development so that the growing population pressure on Delhi can be reduced and regional balance can be achieved.” The meeting featured detailed discussions on strengthening institutional coordination among Delhi, Haryana, UP and Rajasthan, improving regional transport and connectivity, accelerating implementation of development projects, and addressing other key issues related to the NCR.
Chief Minister Gupta noted that it is encouraging that transport and connectivity infrastructure across the NCR is expanding continuously, and stressed that all states must continue working together to ensure that no part of the NCR remains deprived of better connectivity.
She noted that due to “like-minded” governments in Delhi, Haryana, UP and Rajasthan, implementation of development schemes has gathered pace and coordination among the states has become more effective than before. PTI VIT KSS KSS
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