Krishan Pal, union minister of state for social justice and empowerment, represents Faridabad in the Lok Sabha. In an interview with Sweta Ranjan, he speaks about development plans for the bustling city that is part of the national capital region (NCR). Edited excerpts:
Faridabad has a tremendous potential for development. As MP, what are your plans for the city?
We have done a lot of preparations for Faridabad. We aim to give it all that it deserves but has been bereft of for years. Our top priority is to covert National Highway No.2, which crosses Faridabad, into six lanes. The work is in progress. This will ease a lot of congestion on the highway. Along with this, from the Delhi border to Sector 59, a bypass has been constructed and it is functional now. Heavy traffic will use this bypass.
Close to NH 8, in Faridabad, two underpasses are being constructed. One of them is ready which serves Faridabad Old and NIT residents. Work is in full swing to connect Delhi (Badarpur) and Faridabad with Metro. The trial on this route should hopefully start by May 2015. Foot-over bridges are being built at all Metro stations.
In Faridabad, like Gurgaon, technology is a focus area. What steps are being taken?
We are working in this direction. IMT has been constructed in Faridabad district. From the government side all facilities have already been provided. From the central government a biotechnology park with an investment of '100 crore has been proposed. Faridabad should excel in the field of technology; we are making a lot of efforts in that direction.
Many companies want to invest in Faridabad but face infrastructure problems. How do the authorities plan to respond to that?
We are framing a new Industries Act which will ensure all basic facilities to all investors. Many companies will be invited to Faridabad. Efforts are on through the Haryana state industrial development corporation (HSIDC) to promote new industries.
Waste management in Faridabad leaves mush to be desired. The work is on in full swing to treat the industrial waste, solid and liquid waste. The municipal corporation and the Haryana urban development authority (HUDA) are working together. In rural areas, solid waste management units will be set up and for liquid waste low-cost sewage ponds will be created. Work is in progress in eight gram panchayats to manage the liquid and solid waste.
Gurgaon is the millennium city. What is your dream for Faridabad?
Faridabad was earlier known as an industrial hub. My motto is to rebuild the same image. I dream to make Faridabad, like Gurgaon, an industrial town with a lot of greenery.
In the NCR, women’s safety is a major concern.
Yes, indeed. It is a matter of worry. For this, in each mall, on the roundabouts and public places in the town, women helpline numbers have been displayed. A women’s cell is already active in Faridabad. Women PCR [police control room] vans also patrol the city regularly.
One of the biggest problems faced by Faridabad is of water. What are the efforts to solve it?
This is one of the biggest issues which the new government is facing and is set to sort out. The city should get clean water for which the municipal corporation and HUDA have started Ranney well projects. Along with this, water treatment plants have been established in the city. Their capacity will be increased and more treatment plants will be set up.
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(The interview appears in the March 15-31, 2015, issue)
