INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF HONOURABLE GOVERNOR PUNJAB AND ADMINISTRATOR, UT CHANDIGARH, SHRI BANWARILAL PUROHIT ON THE OCCASION OF VISIONING WORKSHOP, FUTURE READY CHANDIGARH 2030 And BEYOND ORGANISED BY CHANDIGARH ADMINISTRATION

I am very glad that Chandigarh Administration is organising this visioning workshop in collaboration with UNDP. This is going to define where Chandigarh should be after 10 years.

Both Chandigarh Administration and UNDP both have common objectives for sustainable improvement of Urban Infrastructure and Services, setting out the desired future roadmap for Future Ready Chandigarh. I am pleased to note Chandigarh Administration and UNDP have jointly taken very good initiative in conceiving this workshop.

The vision should be centred on improving liveability for citizens, enhancing human capital and transforming the citizens relationship with Government in an environmentally, sustainable and inclusive manner. The vision must provide people-centric development ideas. Citizens should be perceived as customers and clients.

While framing the vision, it must not be seen only for Chandigarh. Mohali and Panchkula are fast expanding satellite towns of Chandigarh. Many people commute to & from these cities needing integrated transportation plan. A large portion of water for the city is drawn from Punjab (Kajauli) water works. Sanitation management has dependency on these towns.

A sensitive and coordinated development is required to safeguard mutual interest. Therefore, the vision exercise must consider institutional mechanism for planned coordination, with representatives from UT, Punjab, Haryana and the Central Government.

Chandigarh needs to keep evolving new paradigms of governance with communities at the core, and an increased use of technology to improve its urban infrastructure, services and optimum utilisation of resources. It should keep driving the economic growth and improve the quality of life of people by enabling local area development and harnessing technology.

Any unplanned expansion can lead to irreparable drain of the natural resources. Our challenge is to reduce environmental impact and the carbon footprint. At the same time, societal development needs to be addressed and the focus put on people?s wellbeing.

I am also delighted to know that five key thematic have been selected for the workshop. Thematic based sessions shall enable focussed discussions for clear framing of vision for each Sector. We need to keep improving infrastructure and services in each sector to provide a decent quality of life to the citizens, with a clean and sustainable environment.

I am happy to note that many international and national experts are going to present their ideas. Case studies across the globe are going to be presented. We also have elite members from Advisory Council. I am sure the workshop will give an opportunity for bringing about better cohesion and a good platform for interaction amongst all related stakeholders in meeting our common objectives. With inputs from all, I am sure a very meaningful vision document shall emerge.

After the workshop, there must be appropriate follow up actions to bring this vision into reality.

With these words, I am declaring the official opening of the ?Visioning Workshop ? Future Ready Chandigarh 2030 & beyond?, and I hope these two fruitful days to be stimulating and beneficial program.



Thank you,
Jai Hind.