Paris is keen to have a 'sister city' relationship with Delhi. This would mean sharing of each other’s knowledge and technology for betterment of the civic infrastructure and other aspects of people’s lives.
The offer was made by a four-member French delegation led by local government minister Brice Hortefeux to Delhi Urban Development minister AK Walia in a meeting at Delhi Secretariat on Tuesday. The delegation included Advisor to the Minister, Thibauld de la Haye Jousselin and two other senior French officials. Delhi Principal Secretary (UD) Vivek Ray was also present in the meeting.
Walia thanked the French minister for the offer and told them that the issue is under consideration in the Ministry of External Affairs and would be expedited.
Hortefeux gave details of the administrative set-up of Paris. He informed Walia and his team that most of the powers in the French capital were transferred to the local self-government after 1977. The delegation said that most of the services are being out-sourced, keeping in view the urgent needs of the people. The visiting minister also discussed various avenues to explore possibility of cooperation between Delhi and Paris.
Walia, on his part, gave details of the administrative set up of Delhi. He also apprised members of the delegation about the changing face of Delhi due to flyovers, widened roads and foot over bridges with escalators. “Delhi has the distinction of having the largest fleet of CNG-run public transport system in the world, which has helped in curbing air pollution,” Walia said.
{{/usCountry}}Walia, on his part, gave details of the administrative set up of Delhi. He also apprised members of the delegation about the changing face of Delhi due to flyovers, widened roads and foot over bridges with escalators. “Delhi has the distinction of having the largest fleet of CNG-run public transport system in the world, which has helped in curbing air pollution,” Walia said.
{{/usCountry}}E-mail: ashukla@hindustantimes.com