Chhattisgarh Urban Administration Minister Amar Agrawal said that to turn the concept of Smart City into a reality, a Master Plan should be prepared keeping in mind the requirements for the next 50 years. For this an integrated planning and availability of resources should always be taken into account, he said. Agrawal said this in a discussion on Smart City Concept organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce in New Delhi.
He said that it is not necessary to have adequate funds or resources but by having positive thinking, systematic planning and innovations, any city could be turned into a Smart City. He said that Naya Raipur has been developed at par with selected cities. The resources and requirements of a systematic city could be met through through Public Private Participation (PPP) model.
He said that when Naya Raipur, Chandigarh and other cities could be developed on the concept of Smart City then why not other cities. Naya Raipur will be one of the best cities of the country as well as of the world in the coming 10 years, he said. Agrawal further said that the country is facing the challenge for systematic development of cities. It has become necessary to turn the cities into smart cities to overcome the problems arising due to rapid urbanisation.
Through phased planning, commitment in execution of plans and policies and ensuring availability of resources the concept of Smart City can be realized, added Agrawal. Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, President of Indian Chamber of Commerce Roopen Roy, Chairman of Essel Group Subhash Chandra and other guests were present on the occasion.