Development: Naidu updates Houston Mayor

For the first time, India is preparing a comprehensive five-year action plan for addressing infrastructure deficit in 500 cities and towns in a focused manner, said the Vice President, M. Venkaiah Naidu.

This would provide an affordable and sustainable urban infrastructure that is inclusive in nature for the 70% of the population living in these cities and towns.

The 100 such Smart Cities being built would act as lighthouses to inspire, motivate and encourage others to build more Smart Cities in the country.

He elaborated that a Smart city is one that is “liveable and lovable – a comfortable and happy place for the citizens”.

Architectural planning of smart cities must have provisions for pedestrian passes, cycle tracks and more greenery, as that will enhance the health of citizens, he stressed.

Naidu gave an update on the development in the country to Mayor of Houston, Sylvester Turner, who called on the Vice President along with a high level trade and investment delegation including counselors, city planners, urban development officers and members of the Indo-American Business Chamber, in Mumbai on 16 Nov 2018.

India is witnessing an urban renaissance, the process of which has been set in motion.

Naidu highlighted the Government’s initiatives such as Smart Cities, AMRUT Mission, Housing for all are changing the urban landscape by providing amenities to common man at an affordable price.

“A good beginning has been made and it needs to be taken to its logical conclusion to realize a new and resurgent Urban India,” he said.

There is a new found spirit of confidence and a healthy competition among cities to improve urban amenities and quality of life of citizens, he added.

Naidu said that the ultimate aim of the Government is to recast the urban landscape of the country and to ensure decent living for the rapidly growing urban citizens besides making the cities and towns dynamic engines of economic growth.

The Vice President pointed out the transformative changes brought into governance by the government, saying it empowered state and city governments in respect of project formulation and appraisal under new urban missions in conjunction with capacity building.

The Mayor appreciated the reforms that are being implemented in India and was all praise for India’s growth.

The Mayor expressed interest to further strengthen the existing cooperation with India, in the fields of Education, IT, Health and urban planning, transfer of technologies in various sectors. fiinews.com