CM Pinarayi Vijayan address online from London and said that. Kerala should go for new trends in urban planning and development practices. The development such as land pooling and transfer of development rights (TDR). Because those measures can cut down the burden on the state exchequer.
The two-day inauguration of National Urban Conclave. This is held virtually. PM said in his address that new models of development practices have to be implemented. Projects install on the major projects to avoid legal formalities too.
“The Kerala Town and Country Planning Act 2016 has a provision for these. And the government has started the formation of the rules and guidelines. We are actively inviting investments in the development of the state and in the urban sector. Public-private participation (PPP) projects are going on. And many more are expected to come up,” he said.
Vijayan said the cities of the future should develop by adopting the new trends in urban design.
He said Kochi is the apt place to host the national urban conclave. As the city has been emerging as a global city with the development. In services, industry, commerce, IT, and tourism.
What M B Rajesh and Other Ministers Said?
Delivering the keynote address, Local Self Government and Excise Minister M B Rajesh said. It is important to understand how technology is going to solve complex problems. That arises out of the process of urbanization.
M B Rajesh said “Consumerism is increasing in Kerala. As part of urbanization. We are facing the issues of waste generation pollution. Unemployment, lifestyle diseases, environmental degradation, etc. To find a solution to all this. We need to understand the process of urbanization,”.
State Industries and Law Minister P Rajeev also addressed the gathering virtually. He called for a sustainable model for the further development of the city.
Retired IAS officer Keshav Varma. Who is the chairman of the Centre’s High-Level Committee on Urban Planning. Said Kochi has the potential to position itself as a global city.
Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) chairman K Chandran Pillai. Who chaired the meeting. Stressed the need to revisit the current mode of urban governance. And consider fresh ideas and tools for addressing present and future challenges.
“As India gets increasingly urbanized. We need to accept that cities will be the key actors driving India’s growth. We need innovative ideas and proposals. To tackle the challenges of the future,” Pillai said.
Sharmila Mary Joseph Address
Dr. Sharmila Mary Joseph, Principal Secretary, LSGD, Government of Kerala. She said that engaging local bodies are an engine for economic growth. Were of paramount importance which the planners had identified well before.
Making a general address prior to sessions. She said that resourcing in a big way was vital for implementing projects in a big way.
“A total of 26% of the total state funds including 10 percent of the taxes come down to the LSGDs. While the suggestions and ideas for development come from the grassroots level. Like ward sabhas and grama sabhas. That is how development happens constructively,” she said.
