THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, DELHI

.    Chairman, CII Northern Region, Mr. Puneet Kaura Ji,
.    Deputy Chairperson, CII Northern Region, Ms. Shardha Suri Marwah Ji,
.    Chairman, CII Delhi State, Mr. Harsh Vardhan Ji,
.    Regional Director, CII Northern Region, Ms. Rachna Jindal Ji,
.    Distinguished members of CII and Industry leaders

Northern India represents, one of the most important economic regions, of the country. From manufacturing and agriculture to services, logistics, technology, tourism, and infrastructure, this region contributes significantly, to India's economic growth, and national development.

The diversity of this region, is also its strength.
It includes major industrial centres, emerging startup ecosystems, rapidly urbanising cities, agricultural hubs, and, growing knowledge economies. Managing growth, across such varied geographies, requires not only, policy coordination, but also strong collaboration, between government and industry.
That is where institutions, like CII, play an important role.

Over the years, CII has helped, create a constructive platform, for dialogue between policymakers, and industry, stakeholders. Such engagement, becomes even more important, at a time, when economies, across the world, are undergoing, rapid transformation.

Today, global supply chains, are shifting. Technology is changing industries, faster than ever, before. AI is reshaping, business models. Sustainability, is becoming central. And geopolitical uncertainties, are increasingly influencing, trade and economy.

In such an environment, India stands, at a very important moment.

The country is emerging, not only as, a large market, but also, as a trusted economic partner, an innovation hub, and a major driver, of global growth.
And Delhi, as the national capital, naturally occupies, a central place, in this transformation.
While there is emphasis, on improving infrastructure, digital governance, public services, connectivity; At the same time, the conversation around urban development, is also evolving.

The focus is no longer, only on, expansion. It is increasingly about, sustainability, quality of life, mobility, and, efficient urban management.
Because the future competitiveness, of cities, will depend not only, on economic output, but also on, how liveable, connected, and sustainable they are.
At the same time, as one of the world's, largest urban centres, Delhi faces complex challenges; mobility issues, environmental concerns, rapid urbanisation, housing demands, and infrastructure stress. But these challenges, also create opportunities, for innovation, and long-term planning.

And this is, where stronger government-industry collaboration, becomes essential.

Going forward, there is significant potential, for deeper engagement, in areas such as, sustainable urban planning, ease of doing business, smart infrastructure, and technology-driven governance.

The future identity of global cities, will increasingly be shaped not only by skylines, and infrastructure, but by how effectively, they balance development, with environmental responsibility.

In that sense, Delhi's green belt, biodiversity zones, parks, ridge areas, and Yamuna floodplains, can become, an important legacy narrative, for the city.
There is already important work, taking place, through plantation drives, ecological restoration, and rejuvenation of public parks, and biodiversity zones.

The Yamuna floodplain restoration, mass plantation drives, and efforts to improve public green spaces, reflect a broader shift in urban thinking - from concrete expansion alone, towards ecological balance.

Because a greener Delhi, is not only, an environmental objective. It is directly linked, to public health, urban resilience, heat mitigation, and quality of life.
Equally important is, citizen participation.

Whether through RWAs, adopting parks, school-level plantation drives, or community engagement, in maintaining green spaces, sustainability cannot succeed, through government intervention alone. It requires public ownership.

Another important direction, is the larger vision, of Delhi within the framework, of Viksit Bharat 2047.

As India moves towards becoming a developed nation, Delhi has the opportunity, to emerge as a model city, for integrated urban sustainability.

This includes, areas such as, renewable energy, rooftop solar expansion, EV, treated water reuse, waste-to-energy systems, bio-gas generation, modular STPs, and climate-resilient urban planning.

What is important here, is not only, implementation, but coordination.
Government institutions, research bodies, civil society, and industry, must work together, to create solutions, that are scalable, practical, and future-oriented.
Initiatives such as  roundtables, expert consultations, and  review mechanisms, can help create, long-term policy continuity, and actionable frameworks.

At the same time, Growth becomes sustainable, only when, it is inclusive; when it creates jobs, strengthens entrepreneurs, encourages innovation, and improves opportunities, for young people.

India's greatest strength today, is its demographic energy.
But this demographic advantage, will only translate into, long-term economic strength, if we continue investing, in skilling, innovation, education, and enterprise creation.
The private sector will play, a very important role, in this journey.

As Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, has emphasised, that India's private sector, has a major responsibility, in building Viksit Bharat."

As we move ahead, it is important that government and industry, continue working not, as separate entities, but as partners, in national development.
India's growth story, over the next two decades, will be shaped, not only by national policies, but also by how effectively, our cities and regions, evolve.
And Delhi, as the capital, has both the responsibility and the opportunity to lead by example.

Thank You
Jai Hind.