Venkaiah Naidu assumes charge, promises 100 Smart Cities

Union Minister of Urban Development and Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation (HUPA) M Venkaiah Naidu has said that the topmost priority of his Ministry would be to set up 100 new smart and safe cities in the country.

Speaking to media persons after assuming charge here on Wednesday, Venkaiah Naidu said that a new mission would be launched soon in place of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). Another priority on the agenda is housing for all by 2020 for which Public Private Partnership (PPP) as well as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) will be encouraged, he said. The Minister elaborated that the Corporates, financial institutions, banks etc must give easy loans to their employees(existing and retired) to fulfil their housing needs. This must be done as part of their CSR, he said.

Venkaiah Naidu said that by 2050, half of the Indian population will be living in urban areas for which there is an urgent need for urban upliftment and quality public transport. The Ministry will also have to work fast in the areas of twin cities and creating infrastructure for satellite towns. Within cities, it is important to provide drainage, better sanitation, waste management, water recycling and wifi facilities for public and commercial areas, he added. Modern and Scientific methods of country town planning based on GIC system will be used for urban development. Metro services will be extended in more and more cities and metro work will be speeded up wherever already started, he said.

The Minister emphasized the need to clean up all religious cities to make them friendly. He also stated that for better coordination and convergence of slum development programmes, he will hold meeting with other ministries like health, education etc. Under National Urban Livelihood Mission, priority would be given for creating shelter for urban homeless, the Minister added.

Venkaiah Naidu also held a detailed meeting with the senior officers of the Ministries of Urban Development and HUPA. Dr. Sudhir Krishna, Secretary (UD), briefed him about the functioning of the Ministry and the related issues. Anita Agnihotri, Secretary (HUPA) also apprised the Minister about the working of the Ministry of HUPA.