New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched three ambitious schemes aimed at developing cities and towns as 'new engines for growth'.
The three projects are - 100 smart cities, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and housing for all.
The projects will entail an investment of over Rs. 3 lakh crore in the next five years.
500 cities having 1 lakh and more population will be chosen for AMRUT project.
Speaking on the occasion, he said, "We can't just be disappointed and sit down and say the world has moved way ahead of us. We can't be helpless. About 40% of the population either lives in urban centres or depends on urban centres to earn their living."
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Today's launch will be followed by a two-day workshop in which over 1000 mayors, municipal heads, ministers concerned from states and their chief secretaries will take part.
Representatives of embassies, which have shown interest for their countries' participation in these projects, will also take part in the workshop.
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Smart cities project will be based on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, he said.
