Delhi is a rarity on the Indian landscape: a symbol of urban progress rather than urban decay. And for almost a decade, Sheila Dikshit has presided over the nation’s Capital as its chief minister. Dikshit, nearing the end of an unprecedented second term, has helped guide an array of economic and political changes. Under her watch, the first phase of the Delhi Metro was completed on budget and on time—a feat heralded as belying the stereotype of the Indian government’s inefficiency. The second phase is on track to be finished in time for the Commonwealth Games, scheduled to be held in the city in 2010.
CM Sheila Dikshit says Delhi has improved in many ways, but there are still miles to go
Bhagidari, as
it is called, has been held up as an international model of good governance.Yet, Dikshit would be among the first to acknowledge that progress has not come fast enough or without snags. Delhi is straining under the weight of a vast and growing population. More than 13 million people live there, and half a million more move in every year. Decision-making can be excruciatingly slow, especially since her administration shares authority in the city with elected municipal leaders and a lieutenant-governor appointed by India’s President.
Shirish Sankhe, a director in McKinsey’s Delhi office, met with Dikshit in her residence and discussed the challenges of urban development in India, as well as some of her successes.
Have India’s recent economic gains surprised you?
I think we stopped being surprised a while back. There is a lot of confidence throughout India regarding Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s economic capabilities, his understanding of the Indian economy, and how you integrate the Indian economy into the world economy. It also helps that the government is growth-oriented and is moving towards a more open economy. Many current policymakers understand economics and have tried to take the economy out of the shackles where everything had to be cleared by the government before anything could take place.
People are feeling very comfortable with the growth. It’s amazing how the buoyancy comes in. You see it in art, you see it in culture, in our theatre, in our films. And among the youth there is the recognition: I am proud of my country.
What can slow down India’s growth?
We have people with outstanding and very innovative minds. This country is not short of wealth. This country is not short of skills. This country is not short of brains. What we lack, and I think what we always have lacked in this country, is effective management in the government.