City influx shocks Singapore panel

MUMBAI: Singapore’s former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew was surprised to know that nearly 300 new families come to the city daily only to find accommodation in slums. Yew shared his thoughts with finance minister of state and guardian minister of the city Jayant Patil, the latter, however, was convinced that Singapore model is not suitable for Mumbai.

Mayor of Mumbai Shubha Raul’s suggestion of imposing licence system for the entry into the city was turned down by Patil as the constitution does not allow such imposition.

Yew led a delegation of the key officials from Singapore that met Patil and others in Mantralaya on Tuesday. “Population of Singapore is 26 lakh and we impose taxes on the citizens whenever development work is undertaken in the city,” he said during the discussion.

Yew told the minister that the land acquisition procedure for any developmental project is completed within two months and claims are taken in subsequent phases. “Congestion taxes on vehicles plying on busy roads are a routine course of action in Singapore. The maximum time to reach any corner of Singapore is 20 minutes as traffic is not allowed to flood the roads,” he added.

However, Patil was said to be convinced that the Singapore model is not suitable for Mumbai as restrictions on the entry into the city could not be imposed and acquisition of land for developmental projects could not be expedited.