PM addresses a meeting with mayors for urban development

NEW DELHI: On Tuesday, September 20, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on effective urban planning and long-term infrastructure development at a gathering of all BJP mayors. 

In a tweet on Monday, Prime Minister Modi announced the meeting and wrote that, “With growing urbanisation, it is important that we view it as an opportunity and work together towards building modern, futuristic cities.” In his address, he emphasized on creating industry clusters in tier 2 and tier 3 cities as a result of booming economic activity in these cities. To use the digital payment system, small sellers must receive training and to ensure this, mayors must take the initiative.

The prime minister held a national conference of mayors last year, which was the first time such a meeting was held at such a high level.  Since the Modi administration has placed a strong emphasis on the Smart Cities programme, it was then believed that the government was considering ways to give the mayor more authority to formulate and carry out programmes. In Indian urban local bodies, mayors serve as ceremonial heads and state government-appointed bureaucrats typically make decisions.