The Hindu, 15th February 2005 (Hyderabad)
New infrastructure scheme for 60 cities planned
By Our Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI, FEB. 14. The Union Government is working on a proposal to formulate a National Urban Renewal Mission for 60 selected cities to address issues of infrastructure development and management of assets.
Revealing this during the third meeting of the Consultative Committee attached to his Ministry, the Union Minister for Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs, Ghulam Nabi Azad, said the thrust of the mission would be to introduce reforms in the infrastructure sector at the State and urban local bodies level. He informed the members about the proposal to put into operation a comprehensive Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for providing reform-linked central assistance to all cities/towns for infrastructure development.
He said the National Municipal Accounting Manual was being prepared with the help of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. Steps had been taken to permit property development along the Delhi Metro Rail corridors as well as the metro stations.
Mr. Azad said the Government had launched the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Solid Waste Management and Drainage in 10 Indian Air Force Air Field Towns. The computer software for design of water supply distribution networks, pumping mains and sewer networks entrusted to the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, would be field tested and installed by May 15, 2005.
A power point presentation on the working of National Buildings Construction Corporation Ltd., a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Urban Development, was made by the Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Arup Roy Choudhury.
Complimenting the NBCC for achieving a turnover of Rs. 661 crores during 2003-04 from a humble beginning of Rs. 52,000, Mr. Azad informed the members that the NBCC had completed Indo-Bangladesh Border Fencing Phase-I at a cost of Rs. 121 crores and also constructed a 270 cusecs raw water pipeline from Murad Nagar to Sonia Vihar for the Delhi Jal Board at a cost of Rs. 126 crores.
Replying to a query by one of the members, Mr. Azad directed the Secretary, Urban Development, to call a meeting of Delhi MPs, Delhi Development Authority officials and the NBCC to address the issue of involving the NBCC in construction activities related to the Commonwealth Games 2010 and the construction of dwelling units in slums.
New infrastructure scheme for 60 cities planned
By Our Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI, FEB. 14. The Union Government is working on a proposal to formulate a National Urban Renewal Mission for 60 selected cities to address issues of infrastructure development and management of assets.
Revealing this during the third meeting of the Consultative Committee attached to his Ministry, the Union Minister for Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs, Ghulam Nabi Azad, said the thrust of the mission would be to introduce reforms in the infrastructure sector at the State and urban local bodies level. He informed the members about the proposal to put into operation a comprehensive Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for providing reform-linked central assistance to all cities/towns for infrastructure development.
He said the National Municipal Accounting Manual was being prepared with the help of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. Steps had been taken to permit property development along the Delhi Metro Rail corridors as well as the metro stations.
Mr. Azad said the Government had launched the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Solid Waste Management and Drainage in 10 Indian Air Force Air Field Towns. The computer software for design of water supply distribution networks, pumping mains and sewer networks entrusted to the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, would be field tested and installed by May 15, 2005.
A power point presentation on the working of National Buildings Construction Corporation Ltd., a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Urban Development, was made by the Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Arup Roy Choudhury.
Complimenting the NBCC for achieving a turnover of Rs. 661 crores during 2003-04 from a humble beginning of Rs. 52,000, Mr. Azad informed the members that the NBCC had completed Indo-Bangladesh Border Fencing Phase-I at a cost of Rs. 121 crores and also constructed a 270 cusecs raw water pipeline from Murad Nagar to Sonia Vihar for the Delhi Jal Board at a cost of Rs. 126 crores.
Replying to a query by one of the members, Mr. Azad directed the Secretary, Urban Development, to call a meeting of Delhi MPs, Delhi Development Authority officials and the NBCC to address the issue of involving the NBCC in construction activities related to the Commonwealth Games 2010 and the construction of dwelling units in slums.