Advocating Meerut to be considered under the smart city Mission, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president laxmikant Bajpai met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and said that the proposal including Meerut in the coveted list should be sent to centre immediately.
Centre has approved 13 cities to be approved as Smart cities in UP. It has finalized 12 names and there is a toss up between Meerut and Rae Bareli.
Bajpai asked Yadav to recommend Meerut as the 13th city in the state for the Smart City Mission. Chief Minister is said to have assured Bajpai that Government would take appropriate steps in this regard.
BJP state president said that Rae Bareli was not on the list of smart cities initially but was included later on. “The fact is Rae Bareli had been important city since long why till date it has failed to important business centres,” he said and added that Meerut, which has played a crucial role during independence struggle and its historic importance should not be ignored. Besides, this is the city which pays highest amount of tax.”
“Chief Minister should send a proposal to the Union Government demanding Rs 2 crore for the development of Meerut city. Government should also initiate Metro service,” he said.
Bajpai further pointed out that Irrigation department had sought a fund of Rs 50 crore for the development of city but the funds were not given.
It may be pointed out that, UP CM Akhilesh Yadav, on several occasions, had said that his government considers 13 as unlucky number so UP should have 14 smart cities.
later a traders’ delegation from Meerut also met Chief Minister and demanded that Meerut should be included the Smart city list.