Shri Narendra Modi has launched 14 projects under Pune’s smart city plan at a programme. The Governor of Maharashtra, Shri C. Vidyasagar Rao, the Union Minister for Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis and other dignitaries are also attending the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister said that Smart City Mission is now succeeding as a people’s movement as envisaged. He expressed satisfaction over citizen participation in preparation of smart city plans of various cities with over 25 lakh people giving serious suggestions on MyGov.in.
During his 35 minute address, Prime Minister stressed that if people were empowered and involved in participatory development, the country would develop fast. Noting that an era of competition among cities and towns has come to prevail, he urged the citizens to rise to the challenge for improvement of respective urban areas.
Shri Modi clarified that the central government did not select the smart cities but it was the citizens who enabled their selection in the ‘City Challenge Competition’.