Yokohama & Kolkata?

Yesterday at Delhi, I was informed by the World Bank of the efforts taken by Yokohama in their "open yokohama" effort and turn it to a global city - smart and eco-friendly - from a polluted and decaying city.

We are getting in touch with their International Technical Co-operation Division to see if there could be a collaboration.

Joined HIDCO as CMD today (27th July 11)

HIDCO

Visit to Digha as Chairman DSDA

On 21st July, as the city was witnessing the mass meeting at Brigade, I slipped away to Digha to have a quick glimpse of Digha as Chairman of DSDA.
Viewed above is a pic of Oceana Guest House of SFDC where I stayed

"HIDCO with UD" ? (The Statesman)

Today's Statesman carries a neews brief that can be accessed at:
http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=377007&catid=35
Let us see how the report evolves

Urbanisation Strategy of West Bengal for 12th Plan : Meeting with Member Planning Commission

Mr Arun Maira, Member Planning Commission came to Kolkata today and held a meeting on Urbanisation and Industrialisation aspirations of West Bengal. Mr Manish Gupta, Minister and Mr Samar Ghosh, Chief Secretary were also present.
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I said that the vision in the state's urbanisation strategy was to make Bengal the Eastern Gateway of India. I said that infrastructure must precede development, that there should be a conscious attempt to over design so that we never lag behind in infrastructure in the future. We needed a State Planning Institute to design and implement infrastructure by plotting demographic evolution. We also needed a State Skill Development Institute to train workers in mechanical tools and machines so that we have skilled manpower to run the cranes and pavers. I said that there should be reliance on PPP. I said that DBOM (Design, Build, Operate and Maintain) should be the key driver to ensure that assets perform for the lifecycle.