New Gujarat city may replicate Putrajaya

NEW DELHI: A proposed new city in Gujarat, a prosperous state in western India, has shown interest to replicate Putrajaya, Malaysia's administrative capital.

Malaysia's special envoy for infrastructure to India and South Asia Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu said the state government was keen on Putrajaya's design, which he had proposed to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

"They are building a new city, and I proposed the Putrajaya model. They are interested in city planning, the layout and development of infrastructure. We will submit our proposal.

"They also want to upgrade existing highways and repair bridges, some which are over 150 years old," he told Bernama after holding talks with Modi last Sunday, Jan 9.

Samy Vellu met Modi on the sidelines of the ninth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas that concluded in Delhi last week.

Gujarat, one of the fastest growing economies in India is home to nearly 50 million people, the 10th most populous Indian state.

In Chennai, Samy Vellu held discussion with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Monday, promoting low cost housing models in the booming state.

"We are trying to propose our system of low cost houses, the prefab (prefabricated) model. We had a preliminary discussion and will soon submit a proposal.

"Tamil Nadu is becoming a very vibrant state and we want to play our part in its development," he added.

Tamil Nadu, with over 60 million people, is one of the most progressive states in the south. — Bernama