New Delhi, May 30: Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs and Power, Shri Manohar Lal, met with Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Mr. Masato Kanda today at Shram Shakti Bhawan to discuss ADB’s continued support for India’s urban development initiatives and explore future collaboration opportunities.
The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation to accelerate India’s urban transformation aligned with the national vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047”. Both sides emphasized the importance of advancing inclusive, sustainable, and technologically innovative urban solutions across the country.
During the discussion, Shri Manohar Lal acknowledged ADB’s past contributions to India’s urban sectors, including mass transit systems, inclusive housing, urban sanitation, infrastructure development, governance, and reforms. He highlighted the rapid development in multi-modal transit systems and the success of flagship missions such as Swachh Bharat Mission, AMRUT, and PMAY-Urban.
The Minister appreciated ADB’s role in developing knowledge frameworks that reflect the priorities laid out in the Union Budget 2025–26. He also proposed that ADB initiate demonstration projects that could serve as lighthouse models for future urban development, setting scalable examples for other cities to follow.
President Masato Kanda commended India’s progress in the Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS), lauding the project for addressing transportation, air pollution, and social challenges simultaneously. He emphasized the need for integrated planning and private sector participation to enhance innovation and effectiveness on the ground.
Both leaders agreed on the importance of designing a forward-looking Urban Challenge Fund, supported by strong municipal collaboration, to enhance the bankability of urban development projects. The fund aims to transform essential services like water, sanitation, and waste management across 100 Indian cities, positioning them as growth hubs.
The meeting concluded with a note of appreciation from Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary Mr. Srinivas Katikithala, acknowledging ADB’s steadfast partnership and commitment to India’s urbanisation goals.
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