The Governor of Punjab V.P Singh Badnore inaugurated the Three day 67th National Congress of the Institute of Town Planners of India here today. Delivering inaugural address, Mr. Badnore stressed upon the need of proper planning for sustainable development. He said that the biggest challenge of the century before the town planners is to check disposal of sewerage waste into water bodies such as rivers, lakes & ponds. He urged the modern day town planners to look into the gravity of the situation and plan the cities according the futuristic needs of people such as transport, security, parking, sewerage disposal, widening of roads and in addition vertical and horizontal expansion growth of the cities must be taken care off. The Governor also asked the planners to focus on the concept of developing Green Cities while envisioning the master plans for the cities and towns to tackle the ever growing problem of pollution which he termed as the biggest threat to planet earth. He said that while planning new cities maximum utilisation of solar energy should also be kept in mind as this source of energy is totally devoid of pollution.In his address, the Guest of Honour Mr. Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Minister for Urban & Rural Development, Punjab, said that valuable outcome of this congress would be incorporated for better urban development in the state. He also batted for the equal representation and participation of the women in the planning sector.
While welcoming the delegates, Mr. Balbir Singh Sidhu Minister for Animal Husbandry & Dairy Development exhorted the planners take note of important parameters of planning so as to ensure that the development of illegal colonies could be checked at the very initial stage.Mrs. Vini Mahajan, Additional Chief Secretary Urban Development & Housing, Punjab, said that new technologies for preparation of master plans such as drone surveys and satellite surveys should be used to the maximum extent for the better planning in future. She also extended full support and cooperation to the Institute of Town Planners for the success of this Congress.The President of the ITPI Dr. D.S. Meshram delivered a key note address and introduced the theme of the congress titled ‘Land Policies & City Planning’. He said that apart from this Policy for Industrial Development, Land Procurement Methods & Redevelopment and Land Acquisition & Assembly ( Local Sub Theme) would also discussed.On the occasion, Mr. Pardeep Kapoor Secretary General ITPI & Mr. Gurpreet Singh Vice President ITPI & CTP, Punjab welcomed the guests and divulged that more than 500 delegates from different parts of the country are participating in this 3 Day National Congress.The souvenir of the 67th National Congress of Town Planners was also released by Mr. V.P. Singh Badnore alongwith other guests.