‘It’s time New Delhi vies with major cities the world over’

A strong demand was made in the Rajya Sabha for allowing skyscrappers in the national capital with members saying New Delhi should vie with cities like New York, Frankfurt and Shanghai for a tall skyline.

A strong demand was made in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday for allowing skyscrappers in the national capital with members saying New Delhi should vie with cities like New York, Frankfurt and Shanghai for a tall skyline.

“Why the ban on skyscrappers is continuing?” wondered J P Agarwal, a Congress MP from Delhi.

He asked Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy to remove restrictions on high-rise buildings.

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“It is time New Delhi vies with major cities the world over,” he said participating in a discussion on the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Bill, 2007.

Members, cutting across party lines, were critical of court-ordered demolitions and sealing of shops in the capital saying it had hit residents.

They asked the government to stand firm before courts as it was the task of the Executive and not court-appointed monitoring committees to carry out sealing and demolition of illegal constructions.

During the debate, members demanded regularisation of 1500 unauthorised colonies and framing of a comprehensive policy for farmhouses.

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They wanted the spate of guest houses which have come up in the capital to be regularised.