New Delhi, May 8: Lieutenant Governor T.S. Sandhu has pledged to clean the Yamuna River, identifying five essential pillars for Delhi’s future development: sustainability, inclusivity, culture, innovation, and economic growth.
During a ceremony at the School of International Studies (SIS) at JNU, Sandhu emphasized the need for governance to be accountable, accessible, and humane.
He highlighted key urban issues for Delhi’s vision, including air pollution, the cleaning of the Yamuna, the revival of water bodies, effective waste management, sustainable mobility, and increasing green cover. Sandhu stated that the Yamuna should not only be cleaned but also revitalized as a vibrant ecological and cultural lifeline for the city.
He further noted that a robust public transport system, electric mobility, pedestrian-friendly roads, cycling infrastructure, and integrated urban planning will define the next phase of transformation for Delhi.
The Lieutenant Governor stressed that both the government and citizens must commit to long-term environmental planning beyond immediate solutions.
Emphasizing that development should be inclusive, Sandhu asserted that the benefits of growth should be accessible to all, including women, the elderly, youth, persons with disabilities, migrant workers, entrepreneurs, artists, students, and marginalized communities.
He remarked that urban development should extend beyond physical infrastructure to strengthen social infrastructure, healthcare, education, security, accessibility, and dignity.
Sandhu called for collaboration between technology and governance to create transparent, efficient, and citizen-friendly systems. The goal should be clear: governance that is accountable, accessible, and humane.
Referring to the city’s rich culture, he noted that Delhi is among the cities with the most vibrant cultural identities globally. The monuments, literature, culinary traditions, music, handicrafts, languages, museums, festivals, and artistic communities collectively form the soul of the city.
As Delhi modernizes, he emphasized the importance of preserving its cultural memories. Instead, we should enhance Delhi’s status as a global cultural capital.
Sandhu suggested that by investing in museums, public art, creative industries, cultural tourism, heritage restoration, and community spaces, we can create a city where culture is not only preserved but actively lived.
Focusing on innovation and economic development, he stated that Delhi has the potential to emerge not only as an administrative capital but also as a leading center for knowledge, startups, tourism, hospitality, the creative economy, and the broader service sector.
– P.S.K.
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