My relationship with Delhi CM is excellent
Aditi Tandon
New Delhi, February 1
From the successful conduct of the G20 summit in 2023 to frequent run-ins with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government, the 22nd Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Vinai Kumar Saxena, has remained in news ever since he assumed charge in May 2022. The leading corporate scientist, who transformed Khadi and Village Industries Commission, is now in charge of steering the future of New Delhi as a major global city. For the inaugural issue of Delhi Tribune, Saxena spoke exclusively to The Tribune on the challenges confronting the national capital and the way forward. Excerpts:
Cops adopted blockchain technology
The Delhi police have taken many steps, including utilising IT to solve crimes, and it has proven effective. It has achieved a milestone by becoming the first in the country to adopt blockchain technology.
How do you assess your tenure as the first non-bureaucrat constitutional head of Delhi?
Delhi has had a tradition of only ex-civil servants as LGs. There have been various distinguished predecessors. I take my constitutional responsibility in letter and spirit and have done everything possible to uphold it. It is for the people of Delhi to assess my tenure.
Delhi’s topmost challenge?
Delhi’s biggest problem as well as advantage is the multiplicity of authorities. Challenge because wherever there are three layers of governance — GOI, Delhi government and MCD — and a range of agencies like DDA and NDMC, seamless coordination is required. Advantage because being the capital of India, entire expenses of major agencies like the Delhi police, DDA, NDMC, Central government hospitals, Central universities and institutions, which serve the people of Delhi, are borne by the Government of India. That leaves a lot of monetary surplus for the development of Delhi. So main challenges of the city are also its main opportunities.
The Yamuna remains polluted like always?
Yamuna is a challenge Delhi has not been able to address at all. After extensive efforts to clean the Yamuna and Najafgarh drain, which contributes 70 per cent of the river’s pollution, we had plans to restore the nullah to Sahibi river which it originally was. These efforts received a fillip when the NGT requested me to head a high-level committee on Yamuna rejuvenation. Efforts during the last six months started showing visible results, wherein the Yamuna flood plains were made pollution free. However, the state government chose to move the Supreme Court challenging my appointment as chairman of the committee. After that works have taken a hit.
Delhi’s population has risen from 4.1 lakh in 1911 to 350 lakh. How do you look at migration trends?
Migration is a challenge. The entire concept of NCR was rooted in the thought that counter magnets to Delhi would develop and decongest the city. The past 10-year data show migration trends have slowed down. Master Plan for Delhi-2041, soon to be notified, has factored in population growth and sustainable living through green industries, inclusive housing and blue-green development.
Delhi’s toxic air has made global headlines.
Delhi’s air pollution has two factors — internal and external. For external factors like stubble burning, I have written time and again to the CMs of Punjab, Haryana, UP and Rajasthan. While it is encouraging that pollution from Haryana, Rajasthan and UP has shown a definitive reducing trend, from Punjab it remains the same and has in fact risen. That’s something we do not have much control on. Everyone will have to take responsibility because Delhi, being India’s capital, belongs to all. When it comes to internal factors, particularly vehicular pollution, the solution lies in enhancing last-mile connectivity to promote the use of public transport. Under the Centre’s Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME II) scheme, 1,500 new e-buses have come. We have to pay equal attention to external and internal pollution. I’m afraid not much progress has been made on internal factors in the past 10 years, even though with a concerted action plan, we could substantially address air pollution within a year.
Delhi has very few good air days.
Good air days in Delhi can be counted on fingers. Why is it so?
Because of internal pollution, including local dust pollution. The entire Delhi population will have to rise to the challenge by reducing the use of private vehicles and choosing public transport, car-pooling, etc.
How do you describe your relationship with Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal?
My relationship with the Delhi CM is excellent. We interact regularly. I would not like to comment on claims to the contrary in the public domain. As far as our domains are concerned, the Constitution has made it very clear. There are transferred subjects like finance, health, where they have to work and there are reserved subjects which are my domain. I follow the Constitution. I won’t like to comment on their political compulsions.
Delhi continues to reel under crime.
The Delhi police have taken many steps, including utilising IT to solve crimes, and it has proven effective. The Delhi police have achieved a milestone by becoming the first in the country to adopt blockchain technology for securing and preserving crime scene evidence, a development expected to enhance conviction rates. However, it is crucial to acknowledge the significant social aspect of crime. Instances have been observed where heinous crimes were occurring, yet individuals were more inclined to record videos rather than intervene and prevent the crime. The biggest deterrent to crime is visible policing, which has been increased. Beat policing will be strengthened further. Existing vacancies are also being filled on a war footing.
Will Delhi’s garbage mountains ever vanish?
When I took over, one of my first tasks was a visit to the Ghazipur dumping site followed by Bhalswa and Okhla. Concerted efforts have been made to address this issue by increasing the number of trommeling machines from 12 to 85, establishing new waste-to-energy plants, and engaging agencies such as NHAI and Delhi Development Authority to collect inert, C&D and refuse-derived fuel waste. This had unprecedented results. The average height of all three garbage dumps has been reduced by 15 to 20 metres in one-and-a-half years. Average garbage disposal used to be 1.41 lakh metric tonne (LMT) per month when I assumed charge. Now, it has gone up to 6 LMT per month, a fourfold rise.
What about encroachments?
This is a major problem that mars Delhi and has been left unaddressed for years. Efforts are on to remove unauthorised occupations of public spaces.
Delhi’s historicity has been lost in a modern maze.
Extensive efforts have been made to restore Delhi’s heritage. The DDA has restored the Mehrauli Archaeological Park, St James Church at Kashmiri Gate, the first church built by the British in Delhi; Sanjay Van, the site of historic Qila Rai Pithora; and Qudsia Ghat, where Yamuna Aarti was held recently for the first time.
