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`Chandigarh fast emerging as hub of socio-economic growth'

Special Correspondent

Need for enlarging scope of public-private partnership

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Governor and Administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh, S.F. Rodrigues, on Tuesday said that Chandigarh was fast emerging as a hub of socio-economic growth, a knowledge city and a favourite destination for medical tourism. There was a need for collective effort and enlarging the scope of public-private partnership in building a sound social and physical infrastructure to meet growing demands, he said while speaking at the CII on the theme "City Beautiful - Gearing for Economic Growth".

Collective effort

Gen. Rodrigues emphasised the need for reinventing systems and developing potential to meet future challenges. "All citizens should work collectively for the sustainable development of the City Beautiful and to improve the quality of life."

Medical tourism

He said the Chandigarh Administration was going in for medical tourism envisaging the upgradation of delivery systems in the General Hospital, Sector 16 and Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32 to provide quality primary and secondary services and keep the PGI for tertiary services and research-based activities. The PGI authorities were actively working on this plan which would be implemented shortly.

"The thrust of education is also being changed through C-toss aiming to upgrade the skills of the people. The Punjab Engineering College is being upgraded to IIT level and discussions were on with the Centre to set up a National Institute of Design. A project envisaging setting up of a Film City has been conceived. The Fortis Healthcare Management is also planning to set up a College of Medical Education," said Gen. Rodrigues.

Focus on infrastructure

Infrastructure development had been given priority and the focus was on good roads, efficient transport system, hassle-free movement of vehicular traffic and creation of no traffic zones, creation of a series of lakes, completion of Nehru Centre for Performing Arts, the upgradation of Tagore Theatre, Kalagram, remodeling of all the villages of the Union Territory and the promotion of rural tourism.

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