Urban renewable projects hit by manpower shortage: Nath

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath Wednesday blamed lack of professionalism and shortage of skilled manpower for the slow implementation of city modernisation projects in some states under a central scheme.

"There is a huge shortage of skilled manpower in the country, resulting in slow progress of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) projects in some states," Kamal Nath said here.

Kamal Nath was delivering the key note address at Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' International Conference here.

The JNNURM was launched in 2005 by the central government for investment of Rs.100,000 crore in city-modernisation projects.

"It is a reform-driven, fast track programme to ensure planned development of identified cities with focus on efficiency in urban infrastructure and service delivery mechanisms. But lack of professionalism has affected successful implementation of the scheme in some states," he added.