Jalna, 05 January (H.S.): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said that life in urban areas had become increasingly difficult due to decades of neglect of civic issues during Congress rule, alleging that city development was ignored for nearly 70 years.

Addressing a rally in Jalna ahead of the Jalna Municipal Corporation elections scheduled for January 15, Fadnavis said the Congress failed to prioritise urban infrastructure, resulting in inadequate facilities and poor living conditions for city residents.

He said that since 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly stressed that India resides both in villages and cities, and that balanced development of rural and urban areas is essential. Fadnavis claimed that the BJP-led governments have worked with equal focus on improving urban infrastructure and quality of life.

Referring to Jalna as a “seed and steel city,” the Chief Minister said earlier administrations did not pay due attention to its urban growth, but sustained efforts are now being made to ensure planned development and improved civic amenities across cities in Maharashtra.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar