India and Japan discuss urban development
17 Jun 2008, 1350 Hrs

Add comment          Mail          Print          Write to Editor

New Delhi, June 17 (ANI): Taniguchi, Vice Minister of Engineering Affairs, Ministry of Land Infrastructures and Transport, Government of Japan along with a delegation called on Jaipal Reddy, Union Minister of Urban Development here today.

The delegation has come to India to attend second meeting of the Indo-Japan Working Group on Urban Development.

Indian Delegation was led by Dr. Ramachandran, Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development.

Welcoming the delegation, Reddy said that Japan is the only major country, which can be a role model for India in the area of urbanization as population density of India is very high.

He expressed gratitude for Japan's assistance for Delhi Metro Rail.

Jaipal Reddy said India would like to utilize Japan's expertise in the field of water purification and its re-use.

The working group held wide discussions on re-use of recycled water for non-potable uses, water training institute, earthquake disaster prevention and urban governance and urban planning in India and JNNURM.

Issues like sustainable urban transport in metropolitan area, Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) policy in urban areas, model city bus services and capacity building in public transport sector were also discussed.

Several areas were identified by the working groups for exploring further cooperation. They are clean development mechanism projects in the areas of sewage treatment/other urban sector projects; energy recovery; best practices and emerging technologies in water and sanitation sector; metropolitan planning urban renewal.

In pursuance of the joint statement towards Japan-India strategic and global partnership announced by Prime Ministers of Japan and India in December, 2006, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of urban development was signed on May 1, 2007 at New Delhi.

As per the MoU the working group will meet once a year. (ANI)