A day after CM Ashok Chavan met Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia in Delhi,Ahluwalia has said the state needs to look at public-private-partnership (PPP) to build infrastructure,especially in Mumbai. Speaking at the Maharashtra Economic Summit here on Friday,he said,We need to recognise that this city was once a jewel. It is difficult to believe other cities are performing better. A viable strategy for public private partnership is required. He said all the infrastructure need not be built by the government. We do not have all the resources to build the infrastructure. The priorities before the central and state government should be to provide health services,drinking water,education both in urban and rural areas. PPP plays a big role in all infrastructure development. Speaking on his meeting with Chavan,he said,My recommendation in the meeting was that a state like Maharashtra and a city like Mumbai are extremely well positioned to leverage limited public resources with private resources to build what could be world-class infrastructure. The summit was jointly organised by the Maharashtra Industrial and Economic Development Association and India International Trade Centre,in association with the state government. He said PPP efforts had run into controversy,as land was a difficult and complex issue. With adequate explanation of the purpose of the project,clarity in bidder process and transparency,it could be achieved,he said Serious development on PPP is an indicator of progress Mumbai and the state have made, he said.
