UT administrator highlights UT's green growth in NITI Aayog meet
Chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the meeting was attended by chief ministers, lieutenant governors and administrators from 24 states and seven union territories, under the theme "Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat @ 2047."
In his address, Gulab Chand Kataria highlighted Chandigarh's remarkable transformation from a city originally designed for a population of 5 lakh to now housing over 12.43 lakh residents.
With the recent inclusion of 13 villages into the Municipal Corporation and development in line with the Master Plan 2031, Chandigarh is experiencing rapid social, physical, and economic development.
Kataria stressed that Chandigarh's growth is deeply rooted in principles of green, inclusive, and sustainable development. He pointed out that the city is transitioning from 'grey to green' across every sector—be it green mobility, energy-efficient buildings, or adoption of clean energy solutions—reinforcing its identity as the 'City Beautiful.'
Focusing on human capital, the administrator articulated Chandigarh's ambition to become a national skill hub specialising in green technologies. He emphasised the need to establish reputed institutions that prepare the youth for emerging job markets, particularly in green tech sectors. However, he also candidly highlighted the limitations faced by Chandigarh due to its union territory status, which restricts its ability to offer financial incentives essential to attracting investments and fostering economic growth.
To overcome these challenges, Kataria appealed for the creation of a special incentive framework for Chandigarh, akin to the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) model. He proposed that this framework should encompass tax exemptions, subsidies, incentives for IT and ITES sectors, and exemptions under the Companies Act to make Chandigarh more competitive and attractive for green technology investments and skill development initiatives.
Kataria further showcased Chandigarh's significant achievements, including the privatisation of electricity distribution—the first of its kind among UTs—the development of the Zirakpur Bypass, which will decongest key city areas, and the city's outstanding performance in education with the highest Gross Enrolment Ratio. He underscored the expansion of Skill Hubs aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, which aims to prepare the youth for future-ready careers.
Further, he highlighted Chandigarh's ongoing efforts to promote innovation, especially among women entrepreneurs, to stimulate inclusive economic growth.
Aligning with the Prime Minister's call to develop world-class tourist destinations, Kataria reaffirmed Chandigarh's commitment to enhancing its tourism infrastructure with a focus on sustainability, citizen-centric services, and renewable energy integration.
He also emphasised the need for reforms to enhance women's participation in the workforce and reiterated Chandigarh's dedication to creating an environment that supports women's empowerment and economic inclusion.
The administrator concluded by reiterating Chandigarh's readiness to contribute robustly to the national vision of Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat @ 2047 and stressed that cooperative federalism is the cornerstone of India's continued progress.
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