Venkaiah Naidu inaugurates Municipalika in Gandhinagar

Municipalika 2014, the 12th international conference and exhibition on emerging trends in sustainable habitat and integrated cities, was inaugurated by Union Urban Development and Housing Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, in Gandhinagar on Wednesday.

Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel presided over the event in the presence of a galaxy of dignitaries.

In his Inaugural Address, Naidu referred to the initiatives taken by the Centre, like the Swachh Bharat Mission, for providing 100 percent sanitation and clean and hygienic cities by 2019. He gave a clarion call for Jan Andolan for making it a people’s movement for participative initiatives towards total sanitation.

Considering the major challenges in housing in cities as well as provision of shelter for slum-dwellers, Naidu outlined the provisions for ‘Housing for All’ by 2020, through the 30 million urban homes with predominant thrust on weaker sections and low-income groups.

In her keynote address, the Gujarat CM referred to the many proactive steps taken for realising the challenges faced by urbanisation. She highlighted the efforts for launching Mahatma Gandhi Swachhta Mission to make zero-waste cities. The efforts for total sanitation under Nirmal Gujarat was also indicated. Patel shared the progress under Mukhyamantri Gruh Yojna to provide affordable housing for all with all social amenities.

Joan Clos, Executive Director, UN-Habitat, in his opening statement, referred to the two flagship initiatives World Urban Campaign and I’m a City Changer dedicated to improving the urban future. He put special stress on dealing with the problems of slum settlements and for improving the living conditions of slum-dwellers.

Highlighting the role of the private sector in the creation of the infrastructure development, Zubin Irani, President of UTC Building & Industrial Systems, indicated that this would cover latest technological advancements for buildings, infrastructure, financial resources, operations and maintenance.

Over 1,000 delegates from 200 cities of India and abroad, comprising ministers, secretaries to state governments, mayors, municipal commissioners, city managers, town planners, architects, engineers, urban transport specialists, e-governance experts, urban utility managers, private sector and citizen groups are participating in the event.

Municipalika 2014 is being organised with CAPEx, the trade show focusing on construction, architecture, planning and engineering to deliberate on sustainable built environment and good urban governance.