Delhi CM opposes war memorial at India Gate
9 April 2013 6:29 AM IST
Notwithstanding a recommendation by a group of ministers to set up a National War Memorial at India Gate, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has strongly opposed the proposal, saying its construction will take away the sheen of the ‘peoples' place’ in the city. Comparing the India Gate complex with Chowpati in Mumbai and Marina Beach in Chennai, Dikshit said setting up of the war memorial will severely affect the ambiance of the area and restrict movement of people.
‘It is a peoples' place. It is just like Marina Beach and Chowpati. My point is that you can make a memorial anywhere else. Why spoil this beautiful place? Why become a hindrance to the peoples enjoyment?’ Dikshit said, when asked about the issue. In August, a GoM headed by Defence Minister AK Antony had recommended the establishment of the National War Memorial at the India Gate complex.
‘I have been there (India Gate) after watching a movie at about 12:30pm. I find the place jam-packed. Absolutely jam-packed. People come out to get some fresh air. It is a party atmosphere in the evenings there. We should not spoil the environment,’ Dikshit said.
The armed forces have been demanding the war memorial to honour their men who made supreme sacrifice in wars, conflicts and militancy-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir and the north-east.
In view of the armed forces' demand, the government had set up the GoM in 2009 which was headed by Pranab Mukherjee, before he became the President.
The Chief Minister said the construction of the memorial would restrict movement of people in the area due to security reasons.
‘There are so many other places in Delhi where it can be built. People from all sections come here including children. This place is close to people. Why insist on this place for the war memorial?’ she said.
DIKSHIT CALLS FOR EMERGENCY MEET ON CP DEVELOPMENT WORK
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Monday called up an emergency meeting of the staff of New Delhi Municipal Council ( NDMC), members of Connaught Place Trade Union and Engineers India Limited on the issue of missed deadlines of redevelopment work in Connaught Place. Dikshit has issued a direction for site inspection on Tuesday under the leadership of the Delhi government chief secretary DM Spolia, NDMC chairperson Archana Arora, Engineer India Limited's chief engineer and office bearers of the Connaught Place Trade Union. Even though the Delhi Commonwealth Games is long over (on 13 October, 2010) redevelopment work, that should have been over before the games, is still underway. Spolia carried out a surprise inspection of the area last Saturday and reportedly expressed displeasure over the slow pace of work. 30 June is the new deadline for the work.
‘It is a peoples' place. It is just like Marina Beach and Chowpati. My point is that you can make a memorial anywhere else. Why spoil this beautiful place? Why become a hindrance to the peoples enjoyment?’ Dikshit said, when asked about the issue. In August, a GoM headed by Defence Minister AK Antony had recommended the establishment of the National War Memorial at the India Gate complex.
‘I have been there (India Gate) after watching a movie at about 12:30pm. I find the place jam-packed. Absolutely jam-packed. People come out to get some fresh air. It is a party atmosphere in the evenings there. We should not spoil the environment,’ Dikshit said.
The armed forces have been demanding the war memorial to honour their men who made supreme sacrifice in wars, conflicts and militancy-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir and the north-east.
In view of the armed forces' demand, the government had set up the GoM in 2009 which was headed by Pranab Mukherjee, before he became the President.
The Chief Minister said the construction of the memorial would restrict movement of people in the area due to security reasons.
‘There are so many other places in Delhi where it can be built. People from all sections come here including children. This place is close to people. Why insist on this place for the war memorial?’ she said.
DIKSHIT CALLS FOR EMERGENCY MEET ON CP DEVELOPMENT WORK
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Monday called up an emergency meeting of the staff of New Delhi Municipal Council ( NDMC), members of Connaught Place Trade Union and Engineers India Limited on the issue of missed deadlines of redevelopment work in Connaught Place. Dikshit has issued a direction for site inspection on Tuesday under the leadership of the Delhi government chief secretary DM Spolia, NDMC chairperson Archana Arora, Engineer India Limited's chief engineer and office bearers of the Connaught Place Trade Union. Even though the Delhi Commonwealth Games is long over (on 13 October, 2010) redevelopment work, that should have been over before the games, is still underway. Spolia carried out a surprise inspection of the area last Saturday and reportedly expressed displeasure over the slow pace of work. 30 June is the new deadline for the work.
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