Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Friday outlined a roadmap for transforming the national capital from a “metro city” into a “metropolis”, with a focus on integrated urban ecosystems, smart mobility, sustainable development and the emergence of Dwarka as a global investment and innovation hub, according to officials from the LG Secretariat.
Speaking at an event focused on Indo-Japanese relations in Delhi, the Lieutenant Governor said the city had entered a phase where the emphasis should move beyond infrastructure creation towards building efficient, sustainable and innovation-driven urban ecosystems.
According to LG Secretariat officials, Sandhu said a metropolis is defined not only by infrastructure but also by “efficiency, sustainability, innovation and quality of life”.
He stressed that Delhi’s future growth must be based on key pillars including smart mobility, sustainable development, water and environmental management, disaster resilience and development of Dwarka subcity.
Drawing examples from global cities, the Lieutenant Governor said Delhi should adopt integrated transport systems where metro networks, buses, last-mile connectivity and digital platforms operate seamlessly together. He also advocated the use of AI-based traffic management and real-time monitoring systems to improve commuter experience.
Officials said Sandhu highlighted the need for cleaner energy, green mobility, efficient buildings and improved waste management as Delhi continues to expand. He referred to Japan’s expertise in hydrogen energy, electric mobility and energy-efficient infrastructure as models that could support Delhi’s transition towards sustainable urban development.
The Lieutenant Governor also underlined the importance of advanced water management systems, wastewater recycling, flood management and pollution control technologies to improve urban sustainability and climate resilience in the capital.
On disaster preparedness, Sandhu said cities must be equipped to handle environmental and structural challenges, adding that Japan’s experience in resilient infrastructure and emergency response systems offers important lessons for Delhi.
According to officials, the Lieutenant Governor reiterated his vision of developing Dwarka as more than a residential sub-city. He said the area could emerge as a centre for knowledge-based industries, innovation hubs, research centres and global partnerships.
“With the right planning, infrastructure and policy support, Dwarka can become a symbol of the next phase of India’s bilateral and multilateral collaborations,” officials quoted him as saying.
Sandhu also said the India-Japan partnership had already produced visible results and that future collaborations could play a transformative role in Delhi’s urban development.
