Task force, new cadre for traffic control, citizens’ group to give govt growth tips

GURUGRAM: Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday urged citizens to join hands with the government for making Gurgaon a "world-class city" while outlining the state's plans to decongest key roads and improve transport facilities.

The chief minister, who was interacting with a group of select citizens at DLF Golf Course, said a special task force would be set up for traffic management in the city. "The task force should have members from different sections of society along with police," a government press release quoted Khattar as saying.

Several flyovers and underpasses are being constructed at Hero Honda Chowk, Rajiv Chowk, Signature Tower and Iffco Chowk to ease traffic on NH-8. Also, KMPL expressway is expected to be operational by December 2017. "With the completion of KMPL, vehicles going towards Rajasthan will not have to pass through the city, which will help reduce traffic congestion as well as check pollution," he added.

Khattar also hinted at developing a separate cadre for the purpose. Currently, traffic police are part of the regular police force. "Recently, we have appointed 300 cops in Gurgaon and Faridabad," said Khattar. Deployment of more cops on roads will help improve traffic regulation.

Further, the chief minister said the proposed city bus services would be rolled out in Gurgaon by next year (no time was specified), which, he said, would help reduce congestion. Also, the inter-city bus stand be shifted out of the city to reduce load on city roads.

He also stressed the need for a task force, comprising women from various walks of life and women cops, for women security.

On the increasing levels of pollution in Gurgaon, Khattar said everyone would have to work together. He also sought suggestions and requested citizens to form a working group with government officials for the development of the city. "A group of citizens and government officers will work for making Gurgaon a world-class city."

Moreover, Khattar said, the government was planning to set up a world class university in Gurgaon and a skill development centre at Palwal. Though mediapersons were kept out of the meeting venue, Khattar, through the press release, alleged previous governments for poor urban planning, because of which Gurgaon was facing numerous problems today. "Condition would have been different if a comprehensive development plan for Gurgaon was prepared 10-20 years ago," said Khattar.

Principal secretary to the chief minister Rajesh Khullar, MCG commissioner V Umashankar, representative of various companies and senior government officials were also present at the meeting.

DLF group vice-chairman Rajiv Singh thanked the chief minister for directly interacting with the citizens.