India, Aug. 5 -- NITI Aayog chief executive officer (CEO,) B V R Subrahmanyam, has set an ambitious target of transforming Pune into half-a-trillion-dollar economy, and has directed officials to prepare an economic vision plan for the entire Pune region within the next four months.

Speaking at a stakeholders' meeting in Pune, Subrahmanyam said, "The central government has earmarked Rs.1 lakh crore for the 'Urban Challenge Fund'. Growth hubs have already been launched in Mumbai, Surat, Varanasi, and Visakhapatnam in the first phase. Pune, Ooty, Bhubaneswar, and Cuttack are part of the second phase. Over the next four months, we will hold consultations with industrialists, political leaders, and citizens from all walks of life to identify ...