NEW DELHI: United Residents Joint Action of Delhi (Urja) held a joint meeting with residents’ welfare associations of different areas to finalise their demands/expectations from the reunified municipal corporation.
It later released a list of 21 demands in the areas of pollution, waste management, transport and traffic congestion, road safety, self-reliance for water needs, drainage and sewage system, greenery, public healthcare, and education. We want these demands to be met in the next five years, Urja stated.
“To make Delhi a leading example in the country on progressive governance, we have demanded a new legislation in the form of ‘RWA Act’ to promote role of RWAs in local area planning and governance, formation of ‘safai nigrani samiti’ for effective waste management, a new walkway and pedestrian authority for review and redesign of roads and transport system,” said Atul Goyal, president of Urja.
A master plan for smooth flow of cycles and rickshaws, an open duct policy to avoid repeated digging of roads and an ombudsman body of eminent citizens as an independent public grievance redressal mechanism are among the other demands.
If the plans are implemented, Delhi may get to see clean public spaces, easy commutes for all, no encroachments, etc, and also, the city may become self-sufficient for many other needs, Goyal said.
Shailja Chandra, retired chief secretary of Delhi, said, “Everything on the Urja’s list falls under the primary functions of Municipal Corporation of Delhi. I hope the officers who are now wholly in charge of running the corporation will respond to the priorities of citizens.”
Savita Singh, member of central district RWA, said that all problems of a ward could be effectively addressed through involvement of the local citizens. “We expect timely resolution of issues in every ward of Delhi,” she added.
