At a Cities Alliance sponsored event held at World Bank headquarters in Washington D.C. on 26 April 2010, the Chairman of the Bombay First initiative Narinder Nayar explained the public-private partnership behind efforts to make Bombay a globally competitive, world class city.
Bombay First was responsible for commissioning the international consulting firm McKinsey to prepare a study in 2003 that assessed the city’s strengths and opportunities. Based on the results of the study, a vision was formed to transform the city.
According to Nayar, what has made Bombay First successful is the unique manner it interacts with city, state and national government bodies, private enterprises, individuals and NGOs. For example, through the formation of the Citizens’ Action Group, Bombay First presented the ordinary citizens of the city with a voice to express their opinions on policy. The Empowered Committee is another example of mobilising important stakeholders on different platforms. The Committee consists of 8 members of the private sector and is headed by the Chief Secretary of the Government of Maharashtra. With 17 different agencies running Bombay and 60 per cent of the population living in slums, such efforts to bring stakeholders together under a common goal are vital for improving the quality of life of its citizens.
Bombay First was also the catalyst behind the Mumbai Transformation Programme, a long-term initiative to transform Mumbai into a better city for its citizens to live, work and invest in.
The Mumbai Transformation Programme consists of over 40 projects to spur economic growth in Mumbai, reduce poverty and enhance the overall quality of life of its residents, especially slum dwellers. The projects are coordinated by the Mumbai Transformation Support Unit (MTSU), which was established in 2005 with the support of the Cities Alliance, the World Bank and USAID.
With the support of committed stakeholders and a clearly defined view of the future, Nayar was confident that Bombay First will continue to act as a critical interface between all parties interested in making Mumbai a world class city.
