Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Thursday directed officials to develop Qutabgarh in northwest Delhi into a model village that can be replicated in other areas. During a visit to Qutabgarh village, Saxena distributed 2,000 guava and grape saplings to promote their cultivation among the residents and interacted with villagers.

He also visited a local city forest developed by the Forest department and planted guava saplings.

During the visit,   BJP MP Hans Raj Hans, Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar and other senior officials of the Delhi government and other stakeholder agencies were present on the occasion.

This is the second visit of the LG to Qutabgarh village. Earlier he had visited on September 2 , last year where he had distributed 1000 saplings of Sandalwood to 500 local farmers, in order to provide the city with a fragrant green cover. Hundreds of farmers who had assembled to welcome the LG, profusely thanked him for all the steps being taken under his guidance to develop Qutabgarh into a model village.

Addressing the villagers, the LG said that with participation of the local farmers, Qutabgarh could develop into a major producer of Guava, which is at present coming in Delhi from neighbouring states including Rajasthan.   Similarly, the plantation of Grapes in Delhi also aimed at enhancing the diversity of flora in Delhi.

The LG said the local production of Guava and Grapes would make the farmers financially self-sustainable, while also increasing the crop area in Delhi. He said that the farmers will be trained in Grape cultivation at Krishi Vigyan Kendra.

The Forest Department has also planted 600 saplings of various flower and fruit bearing trees including Jackaranda, Gulmohar, Gudhal, Guavas etc.

This City Forest is also witnessing various other development works like walking track of 1 km, widening and deepening of pond, installation of bamboo huts and construction of toilet and other public amenities. This development will promote eco-tourism in the village and also support sustainable and healthy living among the villagers.

LG also visited a private plantation site where the villagers have planted guava saplings on their own. The LG      was informed that the villagers have identified 6.5 bighas of land for guava plantation and more such land is being identified. The LG inspected a MCD dispensary in the village and directed officials to upgrade this into a poly clinic and make it operational at the earliest.

The LG was informed that 3 specialized doctors have already been posted at the Dispensary recently and other necessary equipment and facilities will be put in place soon.

The villagers urged the LG to provide a wrestling facility for women in the village, which has produced a number of wrestlers and athletes in recent years. To this, the LG immediately directed DDA to identify a suitable space and make the necessary arrangements at the earliest. 

The LG also visited Mungeshpur drain site where I&FC Department is working on desilting and beautification of the drain. A 200 meter walking track has already been built by the Department while bamboo saplings have also been planted along the drain, so as to give an aesthetic makeover and increase the green cover in the area.

The initiatives under progress to develop Qutabgarh into a model village are as follows:

*MCD Dispensary is being upgraded into a poly clinic;

*For the first time, a post office is being set up in the village;

*For the first time, science stream is being introduced in the local government school;

* 544 LED street lights have been installed in the village till now;

*DDA is developing two ponds in the village;

*Four new parks are being developed by DDA with open gym in two parks;

*60 local farmers have been trained at Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in efficient irrigation mechanism and organic farming;

*Irrigation and Flood Control Department has installed sign boards and village maps in Qutabgarh;

*District Administration has conducted Youth Aspiration Survey, so as to assess the skill requirement and other vocational guidance required by the local youths for their livelihood and career prospects and New Bus routes have been added to strengthen local public transport.