Gandhinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi recollected several experiences of his days in Gujarat while addressing a conclave of Mayors and Deputy Mayors of BJP ruled civic bodies from across India in Gandhinagar, Gujarat today.

PM recalled his experience as Gujarat Chief Minister and said – As a CM we decided to mark year 2005 as urban development year in Gujarat and one of issues we picked up was large scale encroachment removal drives. One day BJP leaders came to meet me and pointed out that civic elections are coming and at the same time we are holding this drive and it may upset the people. I had missed this point but I told them that we can’t change our move now. We will need to convince the people and win their faith while executing such measures. I am aware that when we remove encroachments, people may get angry and upset. But my experience was different later, the people cooperated with administration during encroachment removal drives, because they had trust that there’s no partiality while executing the drive and all are treated in same manner. People removed encroachment by themselves and roads were widened. So when we do the task in a pro people manner with honesty without any partiality, then people come forward and support.

The PM also recalled that while app based taxis are common nowadays, it actually started from Gujarat in the form of G-Auto. PM added that the innovation required for G-Auto came up from the ground.

The PM recalled Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who had headed the civic body of Ahmedabad city. The PM said the good works done by Sardar Patel are remembered by people and in the same manner the BJP ruled civic bodies should perform. The PM said that slum redevelopment was started in Gujarat and later the same was replicated nationwide through Pradhan Mantri Urban scheme.

PM Modi also recalled the period of 1987 – 1991 when BJP had won the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) election for the first time. The PM said that BJP was a partner in the State government. A proposal was moved by AMC to connect nearby towns and villages through city buses. The area was under the State government and therefore State govt nod was required. As the State govt approved the proposal, AMC run city buses started connecting the places like Gandhinagar, Lambha, Bopal, Ghuma etc through city buses. This resulted in the development of small satellite towns around Ahmedabad. The city population got distributed and pressure on the city went lighter.

PM pointed out that thanks to Sabarmati Riverfront and Kankaria lakefront development projects, these places have become proud of Ahmedabad city, instead of a burden for the city. PM also mentioned the World Heritage City status of UNESCO for Ahmedabad city and the heritage walk that is happening in walled city Ahmedabad with participation of tourists.

The hoarding in the event was featuring the Narendra Modi cricket stadium of Ahmedabad, Atal bridge over river Sabarmati and Metro rail. DeshGujarat