New Delhi, Aug. 31 -- Delhi government on Monday signed MoUs with two private companies to transform neglected and underutilised spaces beneath flyovers and along major roads into clean, green and safer public spaces under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.

The agreements were signed by the Public Works Department (PWD) in the presence of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh. The initiative will focus on cleanliness, greenery, beautification, pedestrian movement, safety and environmental awareness.

As part of the initiative, Dixon Technologies and Vrikshit Foundation will develop a 2.5-km stretch from Deepali to Mangolpuri Market beneath the flyover. The project will include fencing along the stretch, organised landscaping and greenery using local plant species, grass, shrubs and flowering plants. Environment-themed and clean-energy mural art will also be created on 61 flyover pillars, covering around 5,100 square metres.

Separately, the Kanodia Group will develop and maintain around two acres of green belt along Mathura Road and MP Road through its CSR initiative. The area, currently affected by garbage dumping, encroachments and unplanned use, will be developed with trees, shrubs, flowering plants, walkways, lighting and landscaped public spaces.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said, "Building a clean, green and beautiful Delhi is a collective responsibility of the government, society and the private sector." She said the government was encouraging PPPs to transform neglected spaces into "better, safer, attractive and environment-friendly public spaces" and improve citizens' quality of life through better utilisation of existing urban spaces.

She added that the projects would improve the appearance and identity of major corridors, increase greenery and promote cleanliness, while private-sector participation through CSR would strengthen long-term maintenance.

Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh said the government was working to make Delhi "clean and beautiful" in line with the Chief Minister's vision. He said the CM had directed from the beginning that areas around flyovers and along roads should be properly beautified and developed.

He thanked the partner organisations for taking responsibility for the projects and said such initiatives would be encouraged as a positive example of public participation.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.