Pointing out that old organisations are often burdened with out-dated practices, President Pranab Mukherjee urged the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) under the Ministry of Urban Development to focus on areas where innovation and modernisation in the infrastructure sector can lead to accelerated economic growth.
Speaking at a ceremony to mark the 160 years of CPWD’s service, Mr. Mukherjee urged the organisation to evolve into “a smarter, more dynamic and highly professional organisation” by benchmarking itself with the best in the world. He asked the Department to aim at providing last mile connectivity of rural roads, health and educational infrastructure, water supply and sanitation and referring to sustainable habitats as the need of the hour and energy-efficient building as an important strategy for sustainable urban development, to adopt innovative designs and practices for construction.
Completing the CPWD for undertaking and complementing challenging assignments in the Rann of Kutch, Thar Desert, in high altitude areas of the Himalayas, North-Eastern Region and also in Afghanistan, he also had a word of praise for the Department for the restoration work they have been part of in Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Union UD Minister, M. Venkaiah Naidu too called for the CPWD to introspect for charting its way ahead. The Minister directed the CPWD to focus on facilitating an enabling working environment which has a bearing on work efficiency.
