The Hindu : National : PM speaks of `something big for Mumbai'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Oct 17, 2004

National

National

PM speaks of `something big for Mumbai'

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, OCT. 16. The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, today sought practical ideas to implement a plan to transform Mumbai into a global metropolis like Shanghai.

The call came at a meeting presided over by Dr. Singh of senior officials of the Prime Minister's Office, the Urban Development Ministry and the Planning Commission to discuss the proposed National Mission on Urban Renewal. The Prime Minister, who made the proposal during the election campaign, said he wanted to do "something big for Mumbai that will capture the imagination of the entire country".

He instructed the Urban Development Ministry and the Planning Commission to come up with ideas and proposals.

The Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, also took part in the meeting.

`Build them up'

Apart from the metros, at least one big city and one medium-sized town in every State should be identified by the Urban Development Ministry for a programme of infrastructure renewal.

He directed the Planning Commission to work out a funding plan that would draw on public and private funds for specific infrastructure and urban development projects.

A press release issued by the Media Adviser to the Prime Minister said the urban renewal mission would focus on slum development, facilities for the urban poor, construction of roads and footpaths, development of urban facilities, including sanitation, drinking water supply, power and public transport, public parks and spaces, legal reforms, new construction projects and environment management.

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