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Auto phase-out without alternative not viable: Dikshit
The national capital will come to a "standstill" if auto-rickshaws are phased out without a better alternative, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said.
The national capital will come to a "standstill" if auto-rickshaws are phased out without a better alternative, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said.
Dikshit, whose remarks that her government would like to phase out autos and replace them with battery-operated vehicles created a furore, also said cycling needed to be encouraged.
Speaking at an interactive session at a summit here, the Chief Minister said Delhi has a good public transport system of bus and metro rail and that cycling needs to be encouraged.
"Cycling needs to be encouraged. There is a lot of thought process going on about adopting three-wheeler rickshaw cycles operated by battery. These have not yet settled down," she said.
"The three-wheelers (auto rickshaws) you are talking about can only be phased out after finding a better alternative. Otherwise Delhi will come to a standstill," she said in response to a question whether she had any plans to phase out the three-wheelers in the capital.
The Chief Minister also said Delhi has to have a fleet of 10,000-12,000 buses soon from the present number of 4,000 and that Metro network will cover a total of 250 kms by September this year.
On whether Delhi is prepared for hosting Commonwealth Games, she said she was "nervously confident" of giving a Games that will be memorable.
"We already had, in Delhi, 14 stadia. All are being upgraded and one is being built, which is a totally green stadium. I think it is the first of its kind in Asia. Transport and medical care is being taken care of us.
"There were scepticism about the games, I am confident. I am nervously confident that we would give a Games that will be memorable certainly," she said in reply to a question.
On whether CNG system can be adopted in other cities as well, Dikshit said it depends on the respective state governments.
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