Gujarat to build world-class cities: Modi

Gujarat has accorded top priority to proper management of urban areas and cities of the state will be a role model for others in the country, Chief Minister Narendra Modi said.

Infrastructure is the biggest challenge before the country and if proper infrastructure is not put in place haphazard development will destroy the cities, he warned.

Modi was speaking at an international conference on `Future of Asian Cities', organised by Centre for Environment, Planning and technology (CEPT).

Gujarat has taken a number of steps and initiatives to ensure that world-class infrastructure is developed and efficient system created to manage the affairs in the urban centres, the Chief Minister said.

Meanwhile, the two-day meet will discuss critical areas related to cities like sustainability and climate change, economic growth, housing, waste management, mass transportation and access to basic services.

More than 50 research papers on Asian cities will be presented by university professors, urban planners, designers, architects, environmental engineers and other experts.

"Urbanisation has brought about remarkable changes in the social, economic, environmental and political landscape of Asia where living standards have improved and opportunities diversified and increased," Prof Utpal Sharma of CEPT said.