GDA launches drive to beautify city
GHAZIABAD: Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) Vice-chairperson (VC) and district magistrate Ritu Maheshwari on Tuesday launched a campaign to beautify the city through paintings on walls, metro pillars and vertical garden under the flyovers.
The VC said that the authority will spend around Rs 2 crore during the beautification drive which is also a part of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. As a part of drive, the VC also launched a beautification campaign at Meerut T Point in Ghaziabad.
“At first, we have conducted the beautification drive at Meerut T-point which is located under the Grade Separator Flyover. Around six vertical gardens have been set up under the flyover to improve the city's aesthetic beauty and also curb pollution. Apart from this, the authority has also developed beautification and plantation for 12,000 saplings in 2.50 acre area in the city,” said Maheshwari.
As per a senior GDA official, the authority will spend around Rs one crore, out of total painting budget, on special paintings at alternate pillars of sector Metro Phase from New Bus Stand to Shalimar Garden and vertical garden. A part of the budget will also be spent on beautification of government offices in the city, such as PWD Guest House, Hindon Air force Station Road and walls of other offices. About Rs 27 lakh is to be spent for horticulture on Rajnagar Extention Road, the official said.
Further informing about the progress of metro project from Dilshad Garden to New Bus Stand in Ghaziabad, Ritu Maheshwari said, the preliminary trials on the 9.4 km long metro corridor have already been started on Monday. As a nodal agency, GDA has paid almost its full share of the budget to DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation). However, the Centre's share of Rs 402 crore is expected soon. The DMRC is committed to commence the metro services by its scheduled time.
On this occasion, Santosh Kumar Rai, the secretary of GDA, VK Singh, the chief engineer, A R Rahi, the in-charge horticulture, Govind Singh, Y P Singh and many other officers were present at the event.