Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged the city denizens to convert the ‘Smart City’ mission into ‘Jan Andolan’ to ensure the success of this initiative.
“I urge people of Chandigarh to participate in this initiative. Every citizen should participate for the development of Chandigarh. And, the city which would be ahead of others would get more funds under ‘Smart City’ project,” said the Prime Minister while addressing the public at rally ground in Sector 25 here.
Modi said, “Chandigarh has now entered in the race of smart city and the citizens along with the higher authorities must ensure that they make Chandigarh a “smart city”. To achieve this objective, a movement should be initiated. There is a need to spread awareness, conduct competitions and seek suggestions of public for this.”
The Prime Minister added that it is time to rise above the issues of lal Dora extension.
Notably, the Union Urban Development Ministry had recently named Chandigarh among 98 cities selected for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship ‘Smart City’ mission. This selection was done through intra-city competition (stage 1) which evaluated various cities on the parameters such as service levels, financial and institutional capacity, past track record and reforms.
Now, the next stage (stage 2) will be very crucial for the Chandigarh Administration under which, each of the selected smart cities will prepare and submit their respective smart city proposal (SCP) to the Ministry.
Speaking extensively of his vision for ‘Digital India’, Modi said that everyone should come together to fulfill this dream.
Referring to the launch of ‘Smart mobile App’ on the occasion, he added that such initiatives will empower the common man as he can question the Government regarding the work and seek reply on delay as well.
Citing that development is his Government’s ultimate goal, Modi said that it is indeed great that Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh are here together, discussing opportunities for development.
Modi while talking about the new Airport Terminal said, “I have lived in Chandigarh for many years but never thought that such a luxurious airport could be built here. The new terminal will boost the economic development of Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh.”
Recalling his association with the city when he was incharge of Chandigarh party unit, Modi said that this is for the first time that I am meeting you people after assuming the office of Prime Minister. There was a time when I used to sit in the audience and listen to the speeches of leaders, said he in his typical style of connecting to the people that had gathered to listen to him.
The Prime Minister also launched a mobile application and a site of Chandigarh housing board on the occasion. A group of top retired Army personals also felicitated Modi for launched their long pending OROP demand.