LG lauds govt for "successful" Games

NEW DELHI: Controversies during the Commonwealth Games notwithstanding, lieutenant governor Tejendra Khanna on Tuesday lauded the state for successfully hosting the "biggest sporting extravaganza of the world" in his address at the beginning of the budget session of the Delhi Assembly. He said the projects executed during the Games would set the course for the future.
While saying that the transport sector would continue to be a priority for the state in the year ahead, he urged the government to focus on the social sector to make growth inclusive.
"We have demonstrated to the world our ability to organize and manage a mega event like the Commonwealth Games. This would not have been possible without the support of the citizens of Delhi," said the L-G. He added the Games provided a unique opportunity to the government to bring world-class infrastructure to Delhi. Khanna asserted that the state must ensure that the infrastructure is maintained properly and is put to optimum use.
Khanna said it is imperative that all sections of the population benefit from the economic growth. "The growth, therefore, has to be inclusive to uplift the condition of the marginalized sections. Last few years have witnessed a focused approach towards attaining this objective. The launch of Samajik Suvidha Sangam is a step in this direction," said the L-G.
Moving on to "the achievements of the government" the L-G said, "I begin with the transport sector since it plays a vital role in the day to day life of this megapolis. The transport sector continues to be a priority for the government. Public transport has to improve significantly for the majority of the population to adopt it as the preferred mode of transportation." He went on to talk about the introduction of Metro, the low-floor buses, roads, flyover and phase out of Blueline buses to reinforce that the public transport system has undergone a paradigm shift.
The L-G highlighted achievements of the government in education, environment, transport, power, tourism and social sectors. Talking about the economic growth of the city, Khanna said that in the last 10 years, Delhi has witnessed a sustained annual growth of more than 11% in its gross state domestic product. "This growth has translated itself in the unprecedented improvement in city infrastructure," he said.