Delhi’s Moment of Reckoning: Chandra’s Call for Urban Overhaul
In an open letter to Delhi's Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Shailaja Chandra urges a move away from appeasement politics toward sustainable urban planning. Chandra highlights the city's planning failures and calls for decisive action to manage the migrant influx and unauthorized colonies, challenging Gupta to seize the moment.
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Former Delhi chief secretary Shailaja Chandra has issued a stirring appeal to current Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, urging her to demonstrate political bravery by discarding long-held appeasement tactics in favor of robust urban planning. In an open letter published in The Indian Express, Chandra congratulates Gupta on her new role as Delhi's top urban policymaker.
Chandra, now 81 and free from political pursuits, stressed that she sought no advisory role but simply aimed to spark a pivotal response from the chief minister. She emphasized that Delhi stands at a crossroads where Gupta could either continue with past ineffective policies or lead a transformation, potentially surpassing former chief minister Sheila Dikshit in legacy, especially with the support from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.
The letter criticizes past governments for prioritizing vote-bank politics, which led to environmental neglect and unlawful urban expansion. Chandra urges Gupta to set limits on legalizing illegal colonies and advocates for systematic urban enforcement. She also proposes the creation of migration-centric housing solutions, urging services to be aligned with actual needs rather than political favors.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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