'Our priorities are traffic decongestion, water, law and order'
10 May 2012 2:25 AM GMT
Newly appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Noida, Sanjeev Saran, promises to make the city safer for women and provide better civic amenities to people. The 1983 batch IAS officer, Saran has been given a second chance to head the authority. In his first tenure, from 2003 to 2007, he had signed the MoU with DMRC for first metro line in Noida. Once again he will sign the MoUs for two more proposed metro lines in the city, one of which has been approved by the DMRC on Tuesday.
In an exclusive interview with Siddheshwar Shukla, Saran reveals his plans for the future of Noida. Excerpts.
You have got second tenure as CEO of Noida. How do you compare the challenges in the city with your first tenure?
The population of the city is increasing rapidly and so is the burden on civic amenities in the city. Several new sectors have come up. Traffic congestion has become the major problem in the city.
What your your top three priorities for Noida?
Traffic decongestion, availability of potable water and law and order are our top priorities for the city.
What is your strategy for traffic decongestion?
We will construct underpasses and flyovers at all the major intersections of the city. Presently, authority has sanctioned the construction of a four-lane bridge on Yamuna near Okhla Bird Sanctuary. The two new metro routes - Botanical Garden to Kalindi Kunj and Sector 32 to Sector 62 - will also help in decongestion of traffic in the city.
How will you make available 'safe and drinking' water to every citizen?
The officials have a blueprint for providing safe and drinking to every citizen in Noida. I will take up the matter on priority basis with officials of Ganga Canal and try to get the water for the city at the earliest. As the underground water is salty, we have to solely depend on Ganga water.
Noida Authority is also responsible for providing infrastructure and instruments to police. How will you make Noida a safer city?
We are planning to establish a call centre at police control room with 10 lines for 100 number, which will ensure prompt response of police. Further, establishment of five more police stations in newly developed sectors will be completed on priority basis.
The crime against women like eve teasing and rape are increasing in Noida. What is your plan to contain such cases and make the city safer for women?
I have directed the police to identify the areas in the city, which are vulnerable for crime against women. The authority will install CCTV cameras in those places, which will be connected to police control room and be monitored. High mast electric lamps will be installed in sectors where BPOs and call centres are situated and also at places where women visit generally. PCR shades will be developed in the city, which will have the facility to register FIR. In addition, we have also directed the police to organise meetings with RWAs and eminent citizens to get their feedback and valuable suggestions.
The most burning issue in Noida currently has been 'relocation of banks and commercial establishments' from residential to commercial sectors. How will you handle it?
The guideline of the Supreme Court will be implemented.
Will authority provide space to these banks and commercial establishments in villages attached to residential sector?
I am not aware of any such request. If it comes, it will be discussed.
What is your vision for the development of the city?
Noida will be developed as a city having all kinds of facilities required for a quality life such as water, power, sanitation, greenery, efficient public transport, enough parking place and quality education. We will accommodate inputs of all stakeholders.
What is your strategy for industrial development?
We already have our industrial policy, which will be implemented and, if necessary, amendments will also be made.
In an exclusive interview with Siddheshwar Shukla, Saran reveals his plans for the future of Noida. Excerpts.
You have got second tenure as CEO of Noida. How do you compare the challenges in the city with your first tenure?
The population of the city is increasing rapidly and so is the burden on civic amenities in the city. Several new sectors have come up. Traffic congestion has become the major problem in the city.
What your your top three priorities for Noida?
Traffic decongestion, availability of potable water and law and order are our top priorities for the city.
What is your strategy for traffic decongestion?
We will construct underpasses and flyovers at all the major intersections of the city. Presently, authority has sanctioned the construction of a four-lane bridge on Yamuna near Okhla Bird Sanctuary. The two new metro routes - Botanical Garden to Kalindi Kunj and Sector 32 to Sector 62 - will also help in decongestion of traffic in the city.
How will you make available 'safe and drinking' water to every citizen?
The officials have a blueprint for providing safe and drinking to every citizen in Noida. I will take up the matter on priority basis with officials of Ganga Canal and try to get the water for the city at the earliest. As the underground water is salty, we have to solely depend on Ganga water.
Noida Authority is also responsible for providing infrastructure and instruments to police. How will you make Noida a safer city?
We are planning to establish a call centre at police control room with 10 lines for 100 number, which will ensure prompt response of police. Further, establishment of five more police stations in newly developed sectors will be completed on priority basis.
The crime against women like eve teasing and rape are increasing in Noida. What is your plan to contain such cases and make the city safer for women?
I have directed the police to identify the areas in the city, which are vulnerable for crime against women. The authority will install CCTV cameras in those places, which will be connected to police control room and be monitored. High mast electric lamps will be installed in sectors where BPOs and call centres are situated and also at places where women visit generally. PCR shades will be developed in the city, which will have the facility to register FIR. In addition, we have also directed the police to organise meetings with RWAs and eminent citizens to get their feedback and valuable suggestions.
The most burning issue in Noida currently has been 'relocation of banks and commercial establishments' from residential to commercial sectors. How will you handle it?
The guideline of the Supreme Court will be implemented.
Will authority provide space to these banks and commercial establishments in villages attached to residential sector?
I am not aware of any such request. If it comes, it will be discussed.
What is your vision for the development of the city?
Noida will be developed as a city having all kinds of facilities required for a quality life such as water, power, sanitation, greenery, efficient public transport, enough parking place and quality education. We will accommodate inputs of all stakeholders.
What is your strategy for industrial development?
We already have our industrial policy, which will be implemented and, if necessary, amendments will also be made.
Next Story
