Speaking at a programme on 'Nagpur Smart City' organised by 'Sakal' here yesterday, Pawar who is also Managing Director of the Marathi daily said under a Smart City people need good roads, better quality of life, smart solutions to their problems and hassle-free life.
Nagpur District Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule also endorsed Pawar's view and said that there will be no funds crunch to achieve this goal.
Pawar said Nagpur can be developed as a smart city on the lines of those in Israel, Germany and many other countries.
Bawankule said both Central and State Governments are taking several steps to make Nagpur a Smart city.
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Union Minister for Shipping and Transport, Nitin Gadkari has assured funds to the tune of Rs 7,000 crore for the overall infrastructure development of the city particularly laying a road network while state Government is planning to develop with the help of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT), he said.
Bawankule said the slums needed to be developed on par with post localities like Dharampeth and Shivaj Nagar.
The huge land bank of all the Central and State Governments offices will be put to optimum use and idle land will be taken back for smart city project, he added.
"We will make Nagpur as safe, pollution free city. Mayor Pravin Datke said the two development agencies are creating problem in the development of the city. There are conflict of interests between both the agencies."
Municipal Commissioner Shravan Hardikar said public opinion is necessary for smart city project as we want to know their sentiments and suggestions regarding this project.
Hadikar said in the first phase, a team of dedicated volunteers are seeking suggestions from the citizens under this project. We have to think about cultural, economical, social growth of the city.
Pawar said under smart city project we have to ensure that Nagpur exponentially grows economically.