Strongly advocating a carbon neutral state as a sustainable business model, former President, Mr A. P.J. Abdul Kalam, on Wednesday favoured making Chennai such a city in the next decade.
Interacting with members of Tamil Nadu Union of Journalists here, he said Chennai as a carbon neutral city should be the precursor for the evolution of Tamil Nadu a carbon neutral State by 2030.
Mr Kalam said the switch over to biofuel or electric plus solar power by 2030 by automobile manufacturers, an integrated policy on climate change and Energy Independence Policy and minimising energy consumption could help make a carbon neutral city. “The evolution of carbon neutral is the sustainable business model,” he said, speaking on the topic, “Journalists are partners in national development.” Mr Kalam said “smart waterways” for Tamil Nadu would bring all round development to the State with regard to agriculture, irrigation, safe drinking water and help flood water effectively.
Noting that an expert report on Tamil Nadu Waterways Project had been presented to Chief Ministers earlier, he said, “We need to accelerate this programme in the interest of the State. It has to become a mission mode project.”
Asking journalists to write and appreciate the good efforts of the people and officers, he said, “Political leaders will start working towards developmental politics.”