Chief Minister Rekha Gupta took significant steps over the weekend to enhance public welfare and green infrastructure in the national capital. On Saturday, she inaugurated the ambitious Atal Garden project in Uttam Nagar, while on Friday night, she conducted a surprise inspection of night shelters to ensure adequate arrangements for the homeless.
Atal Garden: A Green Lifeline for Uttam Nagar
The foundation stone for the much-anticipated Atal Garden was laid by the Chief Minister along the Najafgarh drain area. This recreational project is designed as a comprehensive solution to address the lack of large public spaces in the densely populated Uttam Nagar locality. CM Gupta emphasized that the garden will serve as a vital community hub, improving green cover, reducing pollution, and offering a well-designed escape for residents of all ages.
The garden's planned facilities are extensive and aim to cater to diverse community needs. The blueprint includes:
- An open-air gym for fitness enthusiasts.
- An amphitheatre for cultural performances and gatherings.
- A dedicated food court.
- Special Chhath ghats for religious observances.
- Ample seating areas for relaxation.
A centerpiece of the project will be a 12-foot tall statue of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in whose memory the garden is named. The landscaping plan focuses on planting indigenous tree species to promote local biodiversity and sustainability.
Night Shelter Inspection and Welfare Initiatives
In a separate but equally important move, CM Rekha Gupta personally inspected the night shelter at Kashmere Gate on Friday night. She interacted with the people staying there to understand their conditions firsthand. The Chief Minister assured that her government has made "proper arrangements" across all shelters, including new temporary facilities, to ensure that no one is forced to sleep outdoors in the cold.
Furthering the administration's welfare agenda, the Chief Minister also presided over an event where 5,100 women beneficiaries received LPG cylinders and connections under the central government's Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. This initiative aims to provide clean cooking fuel and improve the health and quality of life for women and their families.
A Dual Focus on Infrastructure and Compassion
The weekend's events underscore a two-pronged approach by the Delhi government under CM Rekha Gupta. On one hand, there is a strong push for developing long-term civic infrastructure and green lungs like the Atal Garden, which will enhance the city's livability and environmental health for years to come. On the other hand, there is immediate, compassionate governance focused on the most vulnerable, ensuring basic shelter and essential services are accessible to all.
The Atal Garden project in Uttam Nagar is now set to move into the construction phase, promising to transform the area along the Najafgarh drain into a vibrant, multi-purpose public space. Simultaneously, the government's vigilance over night shelters highlights its commitment to social security, especially during the winter months.
