12th National Conference of RWAs on Nov 22!
New Delhi, Nov 13: At a press conference held in the capital today, Colonel Tejendra Pal Tyagi, Vir Chakra (Retd) – National President of the Confederation of RWAs (CORWA) – issued a clarion call for a paradigm shift in India’s developmental priorities, asserting that “a truly developed India will not emerge merely from the construction of infrastructure, but from the delivery of efficient and accountable municipal services.”
Flanked by Mr BT Srinivasan, National Secretary General, CORWA, Col Tyagi posed a compelling question to civic authorities and policymakers alike: “Can India truly become a developed nation without efficient municipal services?”
He underscored that core civic issues – including waste management, sewage maintenance, and non-functional streetlights – continue to plague urban India. “If an individual throwing garbage in the open is committing an offence, then what about the municipal bodies that have been doing the same for years?” he asked pointedly, calling it “a far greater civic crime.”
Col Tyagi also proposed the establishment of Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) in all municipal corporations to immediately address potholes and minor infrastructure issues.
“Such a mechanism,” he explained, “would not only extend the life of roads but also save public money by preventing recurring repairs.” Announcing the upcoming 12th National Conference of RWAs, Mr BT Srinivasan and Mr Ranjit Nair from Hyderabad informed that the event will be inaugurated by Minister of State, Government of India, Shri Shripad Naik, on November 22, 2025, at Satyagraha Mandap, Gandhi Smriti, Rajghat, New Delhi.
The Confederation of RWAs (CORWA), a national umbrella body representing RWA federations from across India, will host the conference with participation from civic leaders, policymakers, and resident welfare representatives from multiple states.
Dr Pawan Kaushik, President of CORWA-UP, voiced grave concern over Delhi’s alarming air quality levels.
“Delhi has now broken all records of air pollution – even pollution meters have stopped functioning. And this is without accounting for VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)!” he said, suggesting that declaring one day every month as a Car-Free Day and promoting Vertical Gardening on metro and flyover pillars could bring visible environmental relief.
Mr Saurabh Gandhi, Mrs Ranju Minhas, and Mr Rajiv Khosla, Vice Presidents of CORWA-Delhi, announced that eminent dignitaries scheduled to attend the conference include Delhi Chief Minister Ms Rekha Gupta, MLA Mr Ashok Goel (Model Town), MLA Mr Balwant Mangotia (Jammu & Kashmir), former Union Minister Mr Vijay Goel, and Advisor to the Government of Andhra Pradesh Mr Rajan Chhibber.
Delegates from Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu are also expected to participate in the national gathering. A souvenir publication will be released to commemorate the occasion.
Mr Jay Dixit, representing the organizing committee, informed that the conference is supported by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, and that the Ministry has assured due consideration of the resolutions and proposals presented at the event.
Prominent CORWA members – including Gaurav Senani Gyan Singh Kailash Chandra Sharma, Rajiv Jolly Khosla, Da Madhu Singh, Rasiv Walia, Chandan Singh, Ganesh Dutt, Ranjit Nair, and Subhash Chandra Sharma – jointly observed that CORWA should be recognized as the true voice of India’s civil society, describing it as the “Urban Mini-Parliament of the Nation.”
