Aurangabad
Zakaria contested the first election of the newly created Maharashtra state in 1962, from Aurangabad, and was elected to Maharashtra assembly. He was made Minister for Urban Development in the new ministry. It was under his guidance that planning for New Aurangabad was initiated. The responsibility for the new city was given to CIDCO which started development in the 1970s. To promote tourism, Zakaria invited hospitality majors like the ITC Welcome group. The Ambassador group and the Taj Residency to set up 5 star hotels in the city. It was under his initiative that industrialization of the city began with the setting up of the Chikhalthana MIDC. To solve the water problem of the growing city Zakaria prevailed upon the government to allow lifting of waters of Godavari from Jayakwadi Dam for drinking and industrial usage.
He started The Maulana Azad Education Trust in Aurangabad, and is buried in its campus.
Read more about this topic: Rafiq Zakaria