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.
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