India seeks Japanese expertise in urbanisation

NEW DELHI: Viewing Japan as a role model for India in the area of urbanisation, government on Monday sought its cooperation in the development of urban transport, water and sanitation.

Japan is perhaps the only country which can be role model for India in urban development sector because our population density is very high, said Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy on receiving a Japanese delegation here.

The delegation, led by Japanese Vice-Minister of Engineering Affairs, Land, Infrastructures and Transport Hiroaki Taniguchi, has come to India as part of the MoU between India and Japan on cooperation in the field of urban development.

Indo-Japan working group on urban development was formed after the signing of the MoU in 2007.

Indian delegation led by Urban Development Secretary M Ramachandran had gone to Tokyo last year to explore possible cooperation between the two countries for recycling of water, urban planning, sustainable urban transport in metropolitan area among other issues.

Such exchange of delegation is very useful in strengthening bilateral relationship between India and Japan in the field of urban development, urban transport, water and sanitation and other related issues, Reddy said.

Indo-Japan working group on urban development identified many areas including GIS based utility mapping, disaster management, emerging technologies in water and sanitation and clean development mechanism for further cooperation in the day long session today.

The group also agreed to explore on capacity building in urban transport, rail-based transit system, comprehensive mobility planning and management using intelligent transport systems.