New Delhi, May 8 (IANS) Vowing to clean the Yamuna River, Lieutenant Governor T.S. Sandhu on Friday identified sustainability, inclusion, culture, innovation, economic growth and compassion as the five essential pillars of Delhi’s future development.

Speaking at a felicitation programme organised at JNU’s School of International Studies (SIS), of which he is an alumnus, the Lieutenant Governor underlined that governance should be responsive, accessible and humane.

Sandhu identified air pollution, cleaning of the Yamuna River, rejuvenation of water bodies, effective waste management, sustainable mobility and enhanced green cover as issues central to Delhi’s urban vision.

“The Yamuna must not only be cleaned; it must be restored, as a vibrant ecological and cultural lifeline of this city,” he said.

At the same time, stronger public transport systems, electric mobility, pedestrian-friendly streets, cycling infrastructure, and integrated urban planning will define the next phase of Delhi’s transformation, he said.

He stressed that the government and people will have to move beyond reactive measures and commit to long-term ecological planning.

Stressing that growth and development will have to be inclusive, the L-G said the benefits of growth should be shared, and opportunities should be accessible to all.

“Delhi’s future must belong equally to women, senior citizens, youth, differently-abled, migrant workers, entrepreneurs, artists, students, and vulnerable communities,” he said.

Urban development cannot be limited to physical infrastructure alone, as it must also strengthen social infrastructure — healthcare, education, safety, accessibility, and dignity, said Sandhu.

The Lieutenant Governor called for technology and governance to work together so that transparent, efficient and citizen-friendly systems are created.

“The objective should be simple: governance that is responsive, accessible, and humane,” he said.

Highlighting the city’s rich culture, he said that Delhi possesses one of the richest cultural identities anywhere in the world.

Its monuments, literature, food traditions, music, crafts, languages, museums, festivals, and artistic communities together form the soul of this city, he said.

As we modernise Delhi, we must ensure that we do not lose its cultural memory. Instead, we must strengthen Delhi’s position as a global cultural capital, he said.

“Investment in museums, public art, creative industries, cultural tourism, heritage restoration, and community spaces can help create a city where culture is not preserved passively, but lived actively,” said Sandhu.

Stressing innovation and economic growth, he said that Delhi has the potential to emerge, not only as an administrative capital, but also as a leading centre for knowledge, startups, tourism, hospitality, the creative economy, and the wider service sector.

–IANS

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