Union Housing and Urban Affairs  Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has stressed on the need to put citizens at the heart of urban planning. He said it is not enough to seek peoples' input just before the master plan and one has to continuously operationalise this exercise for urban planning.  Mr. Puri stated this while inaugurating the national conclave on urban planning in New Delhi today.

The Minister emphasised on planning beyond traditional boundaries and shifting from regulation to facilitation. Mr Puri also talked about making cities self-reliant financially as they are heavily dependent on central grants that need to be changed. 

He also underlined the need for fostering the culture of innovation, using data and technology and leveraging local cultures and economy for urban planning in the country. The Minister highlighted several initiatives taken by the central government for urban development and providing proper facilities to the people. Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Kaushal Kishore asked people to contribute to developing all the cities as clean, pollution free and smart and in making the country developed and self-reliant in the next 25 years.