Shift The Capital Elsewhere So That Delhi May Recover And Thrive As A Heritage City

In addition to the winter air crises, Delhi has also become uninhabitable owing to summer heat waves, dust storms, water shortages, monsoon flooding, as well as year-round rubbish spillovers, traffic bottlenecks, and noise pollution.

It is clear from years of government failures and the absence of a workable plan from them for Delhi, which is routinely ranked as the most polluted city in the world, that urban planning cannot fix this disaster.

Delhi’s location cannot be altered. For instance, if the Centre and states don’t stop fighting and take the annual air pollution issue seriously, smoke from farm fires will come from Punjab and Haryana every winter.

Shift the capital

But Delhi may undoubtedly shrink. It’s time to consider relocating the capital so that Delhi can recover and continue to exist as the historic metropolis it once was.

Many analysts agree that Delhi, which took over as India’s capital from Calcutta (now Kolkata) in 1931, will continue to be doomed to a life of hardship throughout the year until it deliberately reduces its size and attains a tolerable size.

All three government branches—legislative, judicial, and executive—are housed in Delhi; by moving the capital, preferably to central India, thousands of central government employees—ministers, judges, and those in embassies—will no longer reside and work there, drive thousands of cars, and contribute to the city’s waste stream.

Many thousands of people won’t travel to Delhi for court proceedings or other events like strikes, protests, or dharnas. The extensive network of security and intelligence personnel required to safeguard politicians won’t be necessary.

Weaker air, a cleaner Yamuna, more accessible and calmer highways, and lighter landfills will all be present. Delhi can then regreen and reassume its own identity. People who are compelled to live in the Yamuna floodplains can relocate to livable areas, allowing the river to once again breathe.

The truth is that we cannot create smart cities. We already had intelligent enough results. All we had to do was stop being stupid. If things continue as they are, it won’t be long before we transform even the blue hills into the grey heartland. Prior to construction, we can only save what is already there. A clever capital is required.

Building roads, apartment buildings, office buildings, shopping centers, flyovers, and underpasses are only a small part of urban planning. Additionally, it has to do with sewage systems, effective transportation, and walkability. Additionally, it’s about conserving water and reclaiming natural waterways and drains.

After Delhi is no longer the capital, we won’t need as many opulent hotels and eateries that often incur reprimands and fines from environmental watchdogs while guzzling water, power, and dumping tonnes of solid garbage.

It’s time to rise

Let’s view Delhi as a person as we come to a conclusion to humanize the discussion. In that case, the challenge to save Delhi may look like this: We will have to choose between a perpetually ill person who is dying slowly and an elderly but healthy person.

We have a choice, and time is running out.

News Mania Desk