Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal met Asian
Development Bank President Mr Masato Kanda in Delhi to discuss urban
development collaboration. The Minister appreciated ADB鈥檚 role in knowledge
frameworks supporting Union Budget 2025鈥�26 priorities and sought support in
pilot projects to serve as future models for city development.
The meeting covered inclusive housing, mass
transit, sanitation, urban governance, and reform. Shri Lal highlighted India's
multi-modal mobility boom, and successes under missions such as Swachh Bharat,
AMRUT, and PMAY-Urban. He stressed that ADB鈥檚 alignment with India鈥檚 goals
could help build sustainable and inclusive urban centres.
Mr Kanda praised the progress in the Rapid
Rail Transit System, noting its impact on transport, pollution control, and
social integration. He encouraged private sector involvement for innovative,
integrated urban development.
The two leaders discussed enhancing the
Urban Challenge Fund, with city-level support to improve project viability. It
aims to transform services in one hundred cities by treating them as growth
hubs. Shri Lal expressed interest in demonstration projects as lighthouse
models.
The meeting concluded with Mr Srinivas
Katikithala, Secretary of Housing and Urban Affairs, thanking ADB for its
commitment to India鈥檚 urban future.
Source
Press Information Bureau (PIB), Ministry of Power
