XI Metropolis Congress Starts In Hyderabad

Telangana Governor E S L Narsimhan on Tuesday declared open the XI World Metropolis Congress at the HICC.

This is the first time that the Metropolis Congress is held in an Indian city.

The Governor said the Metropolis Congress provided a unique opportunity for public institutions and private companies to engage in a dialogue over the cities of the future.

He congratulated the Metropolis for selecting Hyderabad as the venue as it was the most happening city in India, and described the Metropolis Congress as the best platform to put together all thoughts and views.

He said that the combined wisdom of the city planners and leaders can create cities of joy.

He stressed on the problems facing the world's top cities, such as the migration of the rural population to urban areas since the people saw great opportunities in big cities.

Narasimhan said that the solution was to create satellite townships; ensure health security for the citizens with proper sewerage systems and solid waste management; offer energy security; create schemes to enable housing all without making urban areas concrete jungles; have proper communications and security; ensure conservation of heritage structures; involve citizens in the development of cities.

He said that the theme of the Congress, "Cities for All", was quite relevant since our cities needed inclusive development.

Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao said Hyderabad was honored to host the XI Metropolis Congress.

He said that the Telangana Government was developing a comprehensive master plan for a world class global smart city.

He said that Hyderabad was a historical and cosmopolitan city, with a hub of cultural diversity, and wished the deliberations all success.

Union Minister for Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs M Venkaiah Naidu said that with increasing migration across the country, the pressure on providing the required infrastructure in the cities are also constantly increasing.

He said that the Prime Minister's decision of developing 100 smart cities was attracting wide attention.

He said that cities should be able to provide basic infrastructure like water, sanitation, reliable utility services and universal healthcare; attract investments; and ensure transparency and sustainable development

He said that the fast growing migration to urban areas should be seized upon as an opportunity for an all-inclusive growth.

Venkaiah Naidu said that only 31% of the population lives in urban areas in India as of now, but they contributed 60% to the country's GDP.

He said that China and India would have one-third of the world's urban population in the near future. In the next 15 years, this would increase by another 157 million, and by 2050, by another 500 million, by when more than half of the countries' population would be living in urban areas.

Sustained development would then be a challenge, he noted, saying that efficient planning and effective management were quite essential.

The Union Minister said that there was every need to reform urban governance.

He also assured all assistance and support from the Government of India to the efforts of the Telangana Government in developing Hyderabad as a world class global city.

Jeevan Paul Huchon, President, World Metropolis Congress, who spoke in French, congratulated the new Government of Telangana for hosting the Congress for the first time.

He thanked the Chief Minister for the grand welcome and hospitality the delegates had received.

He said that the theme was very important since the future cities should be for all.

Developing infrastructure would be all the more important, he said.

The cities should take good care of women, senior citizens, disabled and others, he stated, and complimented the Government of Telangana for conducting Metropolis in the historical city of Hyderabad.

GHMC Mayor Mohammad Majid Husssain spoke about the historic importance of the happening city of Hyderabad. He said that the World Metropolis Congress being held for the first time in India provided an opportunity for valuable discussions and debate, and for evolving sister-city partnerships.

He also said that the GHMC was making all efforts to provide basic amenities to the citizens towards making Hyderabad a global smart city as per the vision of the Chief Minister.

He said that Hyderabad would learn and implement all the best practices in the world.

GHMC Commissioner Somesh Kumar proposed a vote of thanks. (INN)