Resurgent Rajasthan Summit 2015

State to host an exclusive session on ‘Smart Cities & Highways’

The upcoming Resurgent Rajasthan Partnership Summit, scheduled for November 19 and 20, will witness an exclusive sectoral session on ‘Smart Cities & Highways: Reshaping Urban Infrastructure’.

In the build up to the final event, Government of Rajasthan (GOR) has undertaken various initiatives to promote planned urbanisation in the state. So far the government has signed 14 MOUs in the housing sector and undertaken massive infrastructure development projects focused on road construction.

As part of the Housing for All Scheme (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana), 40 cities have been identified in Rajasthan. Additionally, 29 cities have been identified under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT). Centre has also identified Jaipur, Udaipur, Ajmer and Kota to be developed as smart cities. With the Centre’s focus on smart cities and Rajasthan’s focus on planned urbanisation, these cities are bound to present immense opportunity for investors around the world. All the four cities will use urban digital and telecommunication technologies to meet various requirements of inhabitants and businesses.

Chief Minister, Smt. Vasundhara Raje has said,

“With rapid urbanisation, pressure on infrastructure will increase. It is vital that our planning and resource allocation account for the growing demand for affordable housing, waste management, energy efficiency, mass transportation and air quality. I am pleased that we have been successful in drawing investment to the tune of Rs 22,551 crore to help meet these demands.”

The State has also invested in improving road connectivity within its boundaries by providing good quality and safe highways. Rajasthan has launched an ambitious programme of developing 20,000 kms of State highways and major district roads on PPP/EPC model. Loans of US$500 million each from ADB/World Bank have been tied up for PPP Annuity Projects. Proposals have been received from the Malaysian Government to participate in such projects in a big way. The Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping, Shri Nitin Gadkari recently launched road construction projects of Rs 25,445 crore in Rajasthan for national highways, inter-state connectivity, important state highways, road over bridges, etc. Besides, under the new Bharatmala Scheme, various border roads of Rajasthan will be undertaken.

Mr. Arun Nanda, director, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, who will be chairing the session on ‘Smart Cities and Highways’ at the Summit, said, “Our experience with the Government of Rajasthan, over the years, has been extremely positive. Mahindra World City, our joint initiative in driving industrialisation and employment has successfully attracted companies like JCB, Infosys, Deutsche Bank, Rexam and many others. This has been possible due to the pro-active approach of the Government officials. With its progressive reforms, policy frameworks, and skill development initiatives, I am sure potential investors will find Rajasthan a great partner in their business success.”

The sectoral session on ‘Smart cities and highways’ will focus on reshaping urban infrastructure in a manner that benefits the citizens of the state as well as makes Rajasthan a business-friendly destination for investors. The session will be attended by Minister of Urban Development and Housing, Government of Rajasthan, Shri. Rajpal Singh Shekhawat; Managing Director, Cisco Systems, Mr. Aamer Azeemi; President, Gruppo Giovani Confindustria Veneto, Italy, Mr. Giordano Riello; President, Essel Infra Projects, Mr. Kamal Maheshwari; Director, National Institute of Urban Affairs, Professor Jagan Shah.

About Resurgent Rajasthan Partnership Summit

The Resurgent Rajasthan Partnership Summit, which was held in Jaipur on November 19-20, 2015, brought together leading investors from all over the world for interacting with policy makers, including the political leadership, government officials and, local business leaders on the investment environment and opportunities in Rajasthan. The summit was organised by the Government of Rajasthan in association with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The summit had thematic seminars, panel discussions, B2B & B2G meetings and other networking programmes. For further information, please visit http://resurgent.rajasthan.gov.in

Jaipur, 14 November, 2015