The Planning Commission minced no words on Wednesday in its criticism of the government's development plan, in the light of the Commonwealth Games works.

Arun Maira, member of the apex planning body, said that it was high time that the government made inclusive urban development policies.

Highlighting the need of sustainable policies, Maira said “At times we are simply destroying the system thinking that we are improving things. We need to have socially inclusive cities.”

At an event on “Climate Change and Urban Development: Practical Approaches and experiences” here, Maira mentioned the example of National Highway- 8 in Delhi where people used to cross the highway on feet when it was constructed.

“There were accidents on NH 8. It was really dangerous. But those people had been using that stretch for years. Where did the government expected them to go?”said he. 

“The one thing which we should ask while developing cities that whose city is it?” added he. 

Maira said that on one hand the government talks about encroachment of land by the poor in different parts of Delhi, but it is now dedicating roads corridors in the capital for the dignitaries coming for the Commonwealth Games. “It is encroachment by the privileged.”
According to Maira, local governance is very crucial for reform process.

"There are people creating possibilities of world class cities. There is a need to encourage them,” said Maira citing the example of Parivartan, an NGO in Delhi which is working for participatory governance.