New Delhi: Keen to augment transport and other infrastructure facilities in the new state, TS Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Tuesday knocked at the doors of Union urban development minister M. Venkaiah Naidu seeking Central assistance for projects.
During the meeting, Mr Naidu assured the Chief Minister that maximum possible assistance would be extended under various schemes, which he said, would be launched soon. Both the leaders discussed broad contours of the Centre’s initiatives like building the smart cities, developing basic infrastructure in 500 identified cities, housing for all, etc. The leaders also expressed concern over the state of affairs with respect to urban governance in the country and the need to transform urban governance through reforms.
Regarding release of funds for the water supply schemes that had been earlier appraised by the urban development ministry under the JNNURM at a total cost of about Rs 1,600 crore, Mr Naidu clarified that the previous government had wound up JNNURM on March 31, 2014 and did not release any funds for these schemes, which were received from the then state government only in February, 2014.
