Smart leadership needed for smart cities, improving local bodies: Naidu

JAIPUR: Union minister for urban development M Venkaiah Naidu stressed on the need of “smart leadership” to change functioning of the local bodies and develop smart cities.

He said only on the basis of smart leadership the problems of people at the ground level could be resolved through an integrated plan. Naidu was addressing the inaugural session of the workshop ‘Urban Transformation Blue Print’ held at the state secretariat on Tuesday. Naidu stressed on the need of strengthening physical, financial, and social infrastructure for urban planning to develop smart cities. He said local bodies should earmark problem areas and work on their resolutions. “The concerned authorities should explore possibilities of developing satellite towns, heritage cities, ring roads, bypass routes, metro rail, ring rail, malls and special hubs. The minister also stressed on greater participation of the public in local bodies matters. He said capacity building is necessary for various reforms.

Speaking on the occasion, CM Vasundhara Raje said taking the public in confidence and constant dialogue was required for urban development. She also said that time-bound plans are required to developing model cities. Raje said due to speedy urbanisation, the facilities of required standard are not available.

The government would seek as to which model of development suits Rajasthan and which model could be adopted for urban development, Raje said emphasising the importance of Public Private Partnerships for obtaining quality services. She said if people get good facilities and services, they would not mind paying for them.

The CM asserted that different departments are delivering different services and there is lack of coordination which leads to cost escalation and wastage of money.

A number of officials, members of the CM Advisory council were a part of the workshop.