Workshop on Urban Infra, Urban Transport, Roads & Logistics, Power, and Industrial Infrastructure in the run-up to the 2 nd Conference of Chief Secretaries

The in person workshop on Track 1 – Urban Infra, Urban Transport, Roads & Logistics, Power, and Industrial Infrastructure of Sub-Theme 2 – Infrastructure & Investments under Pillar 1 – Growth and Job Creation, in the run-up to the 2^nd Conference of Chief Secretaries, was organised by the track-lead State of Madhya Pradesh and the Central Nodal Department i.e., the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance, Government of India, and witnessed participation from 16 State Governments & Union Territories. The workshop saw participation from over 60 senior officials from the State Governments and Union Territories and also representatives from industry and academia.

The workshop was inaugurated by Sh. Iqbal Singh Bains, Chief Secretary, Government of Madhya Pradesh, and Sh. Ajay Seth, Secretar, DEA, MoF, GoI. They suggested to utilise this opportunity to enable a centre-state and inter-state discussion on ideas, potential solutions and exchange of learnings and best practices. They also emphasised on the need to bring forth practical recommendations that are of utmost relevance to the State/UTs and aligned to the theme for this year’s conference - ‘Viksit Bharat – Reaching the Last Mile’.

In his context setting address, Sh. Neeraj Mandloi, Principal Secretary, Urban Development and Housing Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh, apprised on the background and steps leading to today’s in person workshop, such as preparation of concept notes, background paper and video conference meeting held earlier this month.

The session also witnessed the launch of the scheme guidelines for Financial Support for Project Development Expenses of PPP Projects – India Infrastructure Project Development Fund (IIPDF) Scheme (The Scheme was notified on 3^rd November, 2022).

During the workshop, presentations were made by representatives from industry and academia and State Governments & Union Territories followed by an open house discussion on major implementation models, ideas and experiences across projects, schemes and the way forward.