Modi at mayors' conference: Cities cannot be developed with election-centric approach, says PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asked BJP mayors to plan a holistic development of cities, and said the elected representatives should not think just in terms of winning polls as cities cannot be developed with an election-centric approach.

“The elected representatives should not think just in term of winning elections. You cannot develop your city with an election-centric approach,” Modi said after virtually inaugurating the BJP mayors' national conference in Gujarat capital Gandhinagar.

He also said the Metro rail network in different cities of India was less than 250 kilometres in 2014 and has now increased to more than 750 km, while work is going on for another 1,000 km. The collapse of old buildings, and buildings catching fire in cities is a major concern. This can be avoided if rules are followed, he said.

As many as 121 mayors and deputy mayors of BJP-ruled urban local bodies across the country will participate in the two-day event, which is being organised by the party's 'sushasan (good governance) cell.

BJP national president JP Nadda also attended the inaugural ceremony, while others who will take part in the conference over two days include Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri.

Fadnavis will share his vision for urban development and Puri will brief the guests about various government schemes for urban local bodies.

In all, mayors, deputy mayors and other elected representatives from 18 states and Union Territories will participate in the conference and share their views on topics like waste management, traffic management and water-logging etc.