Varanasi is new sustainable model of urban dev: Yogi
Yogi was speaking at the all India mayors’ conference organised by the Uttar Pradesh urban development department
VARANASI: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath said on Friday that Kashi was a scintillating example of amalgamation of India’s rich tradition with modernity, which every city of the country should aspire for. The city had been equipped with modern facilities while preserving its ancient culture and this was due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision and efforts, he said.
Yogi was speaking at the all India mayors’ conference organised by the Uttar Pradesh urban development department here. Mayors from various states across the country are participating in the conference.
An exhibition has also been organised on the sidelines of the event from December 17 to 19 to showcase the key achievements of the Government of India as well as the Government of Uttar Pradesh in urban development.
CM Yogi said: “Seven years ago, Kashi was very different from what it appears today. The lanes were narrow and dirty while live electric wires hanging lose from the poles posed risk to people’s lives in almost every locality. At that time, open defecation along railway tracks was a common sight. But now, with the building of lakhs of houses with toilets as well as community toilets, the picture of Kashi has changed. It’s a transformed city due to of the honourable PM’s efforts.”
Yogi said that sustainable urban development played a key role in the economic development of a state and would contribute a lot to making India a $5 trillion economy by 2025.
The chief minister said that Kashi had set new standards of development. He emphasised the importance of having an integrated control & command centre and integrated traffic management for developing a city into a smart city. In this context, he mentioned the role played by the ICCC in security management during the Kumbh fair.
He said that best facilities were being developed in 60 cities of UP which were selected under AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Transformation) and added that 17.5 lakh people had got houses under the PM Awas Yojana while LED lights were illuminating 16 lakh localities in UP.