VALEDICTORY ADDRESS OF HON'BLE GOVERNOR PUNJAB AND ADMINISTRATOR, UT CHANDIGARH, SHRI BANWARILAL PUROHIT ON THE OCCASION OF CLOSING OF VISIONING WORKSHOP ? FUTURE READY CHANDIGARH 2030 & BEYOND AT CHANDIGARH ON 26.10.2021

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  • 2021-10-26 17:25

VALEDICTORY ADDRESS OF HON'BLE GOVERNOR PUNJAB AND ADMINISTRATOR, UT CHANDIGARH, SHRI BANWARILAL PUROHIT ON THE OCCASION OF CLOSING OF VISIONING WORKSHOP ? FUTURE READY CHANDIGARH 2030 & BEYOND? ORGANISED BY CHANDIGARH ADMINISTRATION IN COLLABORATION WITH UNITED NATION DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (UNDP) AT CHANDIGARH ON 26.10.2021

I would like to congratulate all the Experts, Council Members, and Administrative Secretaries of Chandigarh Administration, stake holders and the Experts for giving valuable inputs during the Workshop which is concluding today. All the ideas shared will go in framing the Vision for Chandigarh 2030. I have been told that very useful and innovative suggestions have been made in this workshop.

Experts have highlighted the importance of involvement of the common people in defining the vision for the city. The quality of amenities should not be distinguished between Sectors. Aspirations of the people must be kept in mind. Social cohesion is very important.

As we all know, the city was originally designed for a population of about five Lakh. Now it has reached over 12 lakhs. There is no doubt that with growing population the infrastructure has been stressed and we have to take this in consideration in all our future planning.

A very comprehensive monitoring framework is also required, for effective implementation. The Vision should unfold into Goals, Outcomes, and Measurement Index with performance indicators. Are the livelihood facilities for the poorest of the poor adequately provided? Is there any significant saving in carbon emission from interventions? Are we able to reduce dependency on ground water? Are people really coming forward to taking employment opportunities in Chandigarh? Is our Health index improving? How many people are actually using e-governance services?

I am told that a strong view has emerged that the visioning exercise should be at the tricity level of Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula and the peripheral areas. This is indeed the correct approach. Visioning should also be continuous, dynamically evolving exercise, in which the needs of the poorest of the poor and all other citizens are kept at the centre.

Chandigarh, as a planned city, still retains its place as one of the most liveable cities in the world. While visioning for the future we must keep in mind the original vision of the creators of Chandigarh and improve it on the same lines. Chandigarh must also shine as the city of the future with better prospects for those who seek to live in it.

Chandigarh Administration is committed to continue this visioning exercise in the coming future with greater involvement of all stakeholders. From this will evolve our roadmap to make Chandigarh a great city.

As I said yesterday in the inaugural session, there must be appropriate follow up actions to bring this vision into reality.

I am sure all the participants in this workshop have enjoyed being in Chandigarh, participating in this exercise and contributing in this valuable exercise.

Thank you
Jai Hind.