The German Ambassador to India, Dr. Martin Ney met the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, J. Jayalalithaa early today, and assured full support, on behalf of Germany, to develop Chennai and Coimbatore – the two Tamil Nadu cities that have been selected under the Prime Minister’s Smart City project.

This evening, a group of delegates from Germany, who are in Coimbatore, visited the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC). They met the Mayor of Coimbatore, P. Rajkumar, and Corporation Commissioner Dr. Vijay Karthikeyan. This was followed by the delegates addressing the media.

While speaking to the media, the German Ambassador, Dr. Martin Ney said, “Germany hosted the Olympic Games in 1972. Thanks to these Games, Germany introduced several development projects. From then on, Germany has never compromised on ensuring that it remains a developed city. With the expertise and the experience, Germany will assist Tamil Nadu in implementing the various schemes under the Smart City project.”

At this press meet, he also made an official announcement that Germany will invest 265 million Euros in Tamil Nadu under the Smart City project. He went on to add that Germany and India, Tamil Nadu in particular, share a cordial relationship. This bond can be further strengthened through the Smart City project. He assured that Germany will offer a helping hand to Chennai and Coimbatore in implementing the various development projects under the Smart City project.

Dr. Ney added that he was impressed with the Corporation Commissioner’s Smart City presentation.

The German Ambassador highlighted that in India, Tamil Nadu has the biggest portfolio of projects implemented with KfW assistance. The Ambassador also highlighted the existing areas of co-operation between Tamil Nadu and Germany in new and renewable energy, including establishing the green energy corridor, intra-state transmission system, and other urban infrastructure, including storm water drainage and sewerage systems, urban mobility, and transportation.

Bringing the focus back to Coimbatore and its eight lakes, Dr Ney turned nostalgic. He recalled his childhood when the lakes in Germany were polluted and were declared unsafe. His parents never allowed him to visit the lakes back then. “The lakes in Germany have undergone a sea change and today they sport crystal clear water. The lakes in Coimbatore too can be transformed,” he said, optimistically. Several people depend on the water bodies and making them safe for human beings is priority, he added.

The Ambassador of Germany, Dr Martin Ney; Wolfgana Muller, Acting Consul General, German Consulate, Chennai; Annett Baessler, German Embassy, New Delhi; S. Raj, Regional Director, Indo-German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC) Chennai; Dhiraj Wali, Bosch; Nirmal Humbad, Dorsch Group; Adi Bhujle, German Water Partnership, Director Sovereign Tech Engineering Services; Ashok Swaminathan, Siemens; J.K. Rajan, TUV SUD South Asia Pvt. Ltd.; and Anandi Iyer, Director, Fraunhofer Office India were present at the press meet.