Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu and MoS Urban Development Babul Supriyo at a Smart Cities workshop in Kolkata (PTI)
Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today turned down West Bengal Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim's request for increasing the number of Smart Cities in the state.
Of the 98 proposed Smart Cities, West Bengal has been allotted four - New Town and Bidhannagar on the city outskirts, Durgapur in Burdwan district and the port city of Haldia in East Midnapore district.
"May I request the Indian government to consider Kolkata for inclusion in the list of smart cities because it is our capital and has high potential. I would also request the minister (Naidu) to increase the number of Smart Cities in the state and to consider all municipal towns under AMRUT," Mr Hakim publicly appealed to Mr Naidu during a workshop on Smart Cities in Kolkata.
Mr Hakim said the extension of AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) will help the state government in curbing migration of rural people to the cities for better earning opportunities.
"Jitna aata hai, utni roti hi milegi (You can only get as much bread as you have flour)," Mr Naidu replied.
The minister said the selection and development of the Smart Cities will be based on the creditworthiness of the city, the development it has undergone, the vision which has been projected by the relevant authorities among others.