PUNE, June, 25: Modi launched the flagship Smart City Mission into implementation mode with the launch of 14 projects of Pune's Smart City Plan, a year after he set off the programme by releasing its guidelines.

He said urban spaces have to focus on solid and liquid waste management,

The Prime Minister also launched "Make Your City Smart" contest inviting people to come out with designs for street, junctions and open spaces and a "Smart Net Portal" which is a net based platform for sharing of ideas and sourcing of solutions for smart city development.

Minister of Urban Development M Venkaiah Naidu said that the smart city projects launched today were the first shoots of urban renaissance taking place in the country as a result of paradigm shift in the approaches to urban development ushered in by the government. He said what is happening in Pune today was "historic".

"It is a turning point in the country's history. We have heard about cultural renaissance, but under Prime Minister Narendra Modi an urban renaissance is taking place," he said.

Naidu said the the journey towards much desired urban transformation has begun in a 'Team India' spirit with the collective effort of people, urban local bodies and state governments.

"This marks the beginning of the much-needed urban transformation," he said, lauding Modi's efforts whom he described as a "reformer, performer and transformer".

Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Rajasthan briefed Modi via videoconferencing on the cities in the respective states selected for development under the project.

Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Unions Ministers Venkaiah Naidu, Babul Supriyo and Prakash Javadekar, Maharashtra Minister Girish Bapat were present on the occasion.

Fadnavis said smart cities initiative has taken care of the poor and stands for inclusive governance that will transform cities.