Environment-friendly transportation systems needed: Uddhav Thackeray

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. Pic/AFP

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday made a strong pitch for transportation systems that are affordable and compliment the environment.
Speaking after inaugurating online the ''Colaba Conversations'' conference, organised by the state government and the Observer Research Foundation, the CM said development cannot be defined sans environment.

Among those who took part in the conference online were Hamburg (Germany) State Councillor Almut Moller, California (US) Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, Minister of State, Ministry of Baden-Wurttemberg (Germany) Theresa Schopper, Christchurch (New Zealand) Mayor Lianne Dalziel and New South Wales (Australia) Governor Margaret Beazley.

An official statement said discussion was held on cities, states and new world order at the conference.

In his opening remarks, Thackeray said the COVID-19 outbreak pressed the "pause button" of the world, but, at the same time, also taught it how to move ahead and take care of the environment.

"We all want development today. But we got an opportunity during the COVID-19 period to look at development in a different light. Today we talk about affordable housing. Similarly, we will also have to talk about transportation that is affordable and compliments the environment," Thackeray said.

To drive home his point, Thackeray spoke about the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking pressing into service electric buses, metro projects and his government''s decision to declare an 800-acre area in Aarey Colony as reserved forest.

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