PM Modi launches Smart City projects in Pune, calls it "People's Mission"

Zee Media Bureau

Pune: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched 14 integrated urban development projects in Pune, marking the first anniversary of the launch of Smart Cities mission.

The Prime Minister launched these projects along with 69 for other cities, which will come up with a total investment of about Rs 1,770 crore, under Pune's Smart City plan at a programme presided over by Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu at Chhatrapati Shivaji Stadium, Balewadi.

Union Minister of State for Environment, Prakash Javdekar, Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis were also present on the occasion.

Glimpses of the launch of new projects under #SmartCities Mission by PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/a7rkz92Mxi — MyGovIndia (@mygovindia) June 25, 2016

The 20 selected cities were linked through videoconferencing. Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Rajasthan communicated through videoconferencing facility.

Speaking on the occasion Prime Minister Modi said, "The people of India are the smartest. Once their skills are harnessed then see the wonders that will happen. Officials who met me wondered how we will select the cities. We didn't select anything, the credit goes to citizens of cities selected."

He added that there is a positive atmosphere, of competing on development works and that too in the spirit of Jan Bhagidari. Modi further said, " People of the cities have to decide about the development of their urban spaces. These decisions can't be taken in Delhi."

Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu said, "We are one country, one nation, one people - we must work together to move forward. Urban India’s quest for smart living takes first steps today with the launch of smart city projects by PM from Pune."

Today`s launch also marked the beginning of the implementation of the urban development plans including AMRUT Mission.

Smart Net Portal were also inaugurated by PM Modi. The portal enables the cities under different urban missions to share ideas and source solutions for various issues during the implementation of the missions.

Smart Cities Mission, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) were launched by PM Modi on June 25 last year.

(With agency inputs)