looking at the better prospects in the housing sector in Rajasthan — the desert state of India, the Singapore Government is planning to share its expertise in urban planning and water management system to help develop two new townships in the desert state — Jodhpur and Udaipur. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been already signed between Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE) and Rajasthan Housing Board to jointly come up with the concept plan for the two townships, which include housing solutions and masterplanning.
“On urban planning, we are happy to share our experience of better housing which is one of the tangible and visible signs of progress. Housing is probably our signature success with 90 per cent of Singaporeans owning homes,” said K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs, Singapore at the Resurgent Rajasthan Partnership Summit, where Singapore is a partner country.
Rajasthan being a desert state, is often hit by drought and an acute shortage of water. Singapore has also entered into a number of collaborations with Rajasthan including in water management and conservation. It has launched a programme to train 100 Government officials in water management and is setting up a skills centre.
India is looking at upgrading and building 100 cities and it has been looking to Singapore for its expertise in urban planning. At present, Singapore is helping the southern state of Andhra Pradesh build the new capital city of Amaravati with Surbana Jurong preparing the masterplan for the city and other companies expected to take part in execution of projects.
Besides, Singapore’s ITE Education Services (ITEES) is working with Rajasthan officials to develop the Centre of Excellence for Tourism Training (CETT) in Udaipur, a tourist hub. The latest collaboration in urban planning between Singapore and Rajasthan also comes ahead of a two-day visit starting November 23 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Singapore.
Shanmugam, however, said Singapore was looking forward to the prime ministerial visit. “We look forward to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Singapore next week, which will be a significant milestone and step towards an even stronger partnership in the future,” he said.
As Singapore and India share close political and economic ties with bilateral trade Modi’s visit will see the relationship between the two upgraded to a strategic relationship and also strengthening of the defence relationship as well.
Within one year, Rajasthan and Singapore have forged many areas of
partnership for development of the state. Officials from Singapore’s ITE Education Services (ITEES) have been working closely with Rajasthan officials to develop the Centre of Excellence for Tourism Training (CETT) in Udaipur. “We are also sharing our experiences in urban planning – the Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE) and Rajasthan Housing Board are collaborating on the concept planning of two townships — Jodhpur and Udaipur,” Shanmugam said.