With a view to transform existing cities into smart cities in state, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal today held detailed discussions with leading international companies and senior officials of World Bank as well as Barcelona city ensuring that Ludhiana and Amritsar cities to be built in future should meet all economic, environmental and human sustainability requirements in Punjab.During his visit to Barcelona, Spain in "Smart City Expo World Congress", Mr Badal held talks with Barcelona Mayor Xavier Trias, Deputy Mayor Antony Vives, Mayor Madllin City Anibal Gaviria and other senior officials on the planning and evolution of Barcelona as a model smart city. Keynote address during the world congress was delivered by Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu.
Deputy CM also held discussions with Jerry MacArthur Hultin president Polytechnic Institute of New York University and Mike Lake president & CEO leading cities and senior officials of Japanese cities of Kyoto, Yokohama and Fukoka to explore building holy city Amritsar and industrial city Ludhiana as smart cities in Punjab in the context of the Union government’s initiative to develop 100 smart cities in the country. Deputy Chief Minister stressed that cities of Punjab having population 5 to 10 lakh, including Patiala and Jalandhar also falls in special category for funds from the Centre to develop the cities as smart cities.
Mr Badal also explored with delegates to provide solutions on solid waste management, waste water treatment and safe city concept in urban areas in Punjab. More than 400 multi-national companies participated and displayed latest technology. About 75 official delegates from India participated in the congress.Mr Badal informed that during his one to one meeting with IBM, Cisco, Oracle and several representatives from MNCs have shown keen interest in partnering with the Punjab government to provide solutions for smart cities. During the meetings Mr P.S. Aujla Principal Secretary to Deputy CM, Mr Ashok Gupta Secretary Local Government and Mr. A. Venu Parsad Secretary Housing and Urban Development were also present.