Development in Kashi is a roadmap for many other cities in India: PM Modi at mayors’ conference

• PM Modi inaugurates All India Mayors’ Conference in Varanasi via video conferencing

• The theme of the conference is ‘New Urban India’

• CM Yogi Adityanath and Union Urban Development Minister Hardeep Puri also attended the event

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the All India Mayors’ Conference, which is being organised by the Department of Urban Development of Uttar Pradesh in Varanasi, via video conferencing.

Addressing the event, the prime minister asserted that this programme in Kashi is very essential for the growth of Indian cities. Mayors from various states are participating in the conference and the theme for the event is ‘New Urban India’.

“I believe that all the Mayors present here have left no stones unturned for the bright future and development of their cities. This program in Kashi is very important for the growth of cities in India,” PM Modi said.

Development in Kashi is a roadmap for many other cities in the country. The majority of our cities are traditional cities. Their development has also been in a traditional way. We can learn from such places about how local skills and products can be the identity of that city,” the prime minister added.

PM Modi urged all the mayors to bring their cities to the top of the cleanest city list. “We should believe in evolution. India does not need revolution today. We don’t need to demolish our heritage buildings and reconstruct them rather we need to rejuvenate them,” he said.

CM Yogi lauds PM for Kashi development

In his opening remarks, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath earlier today lauded the prime minister saying that the people of Varanasi are proud that PM Modi represents the constituency in Parliament.

“People in Kashi are proud that the most visionary and popular leader of the world represents the constituency in Parliament. In the last seven years, Kashi has established new parameters of development. While preserving its ancient culture, it’s present before the world in a new form,” CM Adityanath said.

Issuing a statement, the PMO had earlier said that it has been the constant endeavour of the Prime Minister to ensure ease of living in urban areas adding the government has launched multiple schemes and initiatives to address the issues of dilapidated urban infrastructure and lack of amenities.

A special focus of these efforts has been the state of Uttar Pradesh, which has witnessed tremendous progress and transformation of the urban landscape, especially in the last five years, the PMO said.

An exhibition is also being organised from December 17 to 19 to showcase the key achievements of the Union government and government of Uttar Pradesh in promoting urban development.

Mayors to visit Kashi Vishwanath Dham

The mayors will also visit the rejuvenated and expanded Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham, apart from studying the Kashi’s development.

A short film on urban opportunities and development in UP will also be screened at the beginning of the event followed by a presentation on the clean India mission and AMRUT by the mayors of Pune and Surat.

The local administration, Varanasi Municipal Corporation and Smart City Varanasi will also screen the film on Varanasi’s development.

Groups of five mayors will be formed and each group will take in a group discussion on urban development issues and a presentation would be prepared on its outcomes.