President calls for better towns

In view of growing urbanisation in the country, President Pratibha Patil on Wednesday called upon policy makers to follow "systematic urban planning and proper urban governance."

Patil was addressing at the foundation stone laying ceremony of greater Shillong water supply phase III in Shillong.

"Globally and within the country there is a growing trend towards urbanisation and the number of cities is growing. Haphazard construction and lack of planned civic amenities cause great inconvenience to the population and deprive towns of their character," Patil said.