Kanchan Verma, the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of 2005 batch, took up the reins of Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) as Vice Chairperson on Wednesday. Verma had served as VC- GDA earlier also. She had proceeded on one year study leave in September, 2017 to Kings College London where she completed her MSC (Public Policies & Management).
District Magistrate of Ghaziabad, Ritu Maheshwari, was holding the additional charge of VC-GDA. Maheshwari had accelerated the Government's priority projects during her tenure.
Asked about her immediate goals Verma puts Prime Minister's housing schemes on top of priority. "Under PM housing scheme, a total of 36,000 units are to be built in Ghaziabad and 19,000 units are to be constructed in 2019-20. This year target is of 13,500 units. We will do our best to deliver houses for which land also will be acquired in phases" she said.
She said next priority is to speed up the Metro project from Dilshad Garden to New bus stand in Ghaziabad. Regarding payment hurdles she said she will pursue to get the central government's fund.
To improve the connectivity, the Detailed project reports (DPR) from Vaishali to Mohan Nagar and from sector 62 Noida to Mohan Nagar via Vasundhara have been approved by the state.
Funding pattern of these two projects have been followed as the same as was decided on Dilshad Garden to New Bus Stand in Ghaziabad.
" There had been hurdles in previous funding pattern. We will explore more options in a meeting with the state government to expedite twin projects with less hassles she added. Sanitation and Bharat swachhta mission are also key projects that will be accelerated priority basis", the VC added.