Kundra drives in to revamp transport sector

For revamping the capital’s transport scenario, the Delhi government has appointed Gitanjali Gupta Kundra as transport secretary-cum-commissioner, sources said on Friday.

She is a 1996 batch Indian Administrative Service officer of Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre with huge experience in e-governance, school education, urban development and in the vigilance department of the Delhi Transport Corporation.

Kundra, 45, is also likely to play a major role in the government’s plan to regulate and revive e-rickshaws on city roads.

Apart from being tasked to give the city a world class transport system, promote public transport and reduce congestion, Kundra has also been given an additional charge of Chairperson-cum-Managing Director, Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation.

Kundra has done her MSc in biotechnology from the Jawaharlal Nehru University. She replaces Gyanesh Bharti as the transport secretary.

Sources in the Delhi government said the new transport commissioner is also likely to draw up a blueprint for pollution control in the city through regular checks of vehicular emissions.

CCTV in buses

Kundra may also play a key role in installation of CCTV cameras in Delhi Transport Corporation buses and optimal use of GPS technology for monitoring public transport vehicles.

Earlier in the day, Delhi chief secretary D M Spolia was given a warm send off on his the last day in office.

A close aide of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal refused to confirm if the orders on the appointment of a new chief secretary would be issued on Friday night itself.

“All I can say is that no Delhi government work will be allowed to suffer,” he said.
The 1980 batch IAS officer Naini Jayaseelan is among the names being considered for the chief secretary’s post.

Sources in the AAP government said Kejriwal has decided to give a free hand to the bureaucrats to come up with ideas for making Delhi a world class city.